B189074

Language code

eng

Shelfmark

9.2 LEE

Author

Lee, Robert (Dr)

Title

A Treatise on Hysteria

Publication, distribution, etc.

London, J. and A. Churchill, 1871

Physical description

25, followed by approximately 25 diagram plates and approximately 40 pages of adverts., H 22.2 x W 15.1 x D 1.1 cm

Biographical or historical data

Published in the 19th century, this book shows how doctors once tried to explain many health problems in women. These included fainting, breathing trouble, pain, and sudden mood changes. At the time, hysteria was a common diagnosis for women.

These ideas date back much further in history. In ancient Greece, doctors such as Hippocrates believed the womb could move around inside the body. They thought it could press against other organs and cause choking, paralysis, or fear. Some doctors placed fragrant smells near the vagina to attract the womb downwards and unpleasant smells near the nose to drive it away from the chest.

However, from the 1600s, more doctors began to question this idea. By the 1800s, most doctors no longer believed the womb could travel through the body. But they still linked women’s health closely to the uterus and to women’s emotions. Because of this, women’s pain was sometimes seen as “nervous” or emotional rather than physical.

Objects like this book reveal how cultural beliefs about women’s bodies shaped medical ideas. Although hysteria and the idea of the wandering womb are no longer medical diagnoses, their history reminds us that women’s symptoms are often misunderstood or overlooked.

Linhui Shi, Hidden Histories MA Project Researcher

Subject

Hysteria (Categories)

001B189074

003UKLeTMM

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0410#$aeng

096##$a9.2 LEE

1001#$aLee, Robert (Dr)

24510$aA Treatise on Hysteria

260##$aLondon$bJ. and A. Churchill$c1871

300##$a25, followed by approximately 25 diagram plates and approximately 40 pages of adverts.$cH 22.2 x W 15.1 x D 1.1 cm

336##$atext$btxt$2rdacontent

337##$aunmediated$bn$2rdamedia

338##Undefined$avolume$bnc$2rdacarrier

545##$aPublished in the 19th century, this book shows how doctors once tried to explain many health problems in women. These included fainting, breathing trouble, pain, and sudden mood changes. At the time, hysteria was a common diagnosis for women. These ideas date back much further in history. In ancient Greece, doctors such as Hippocrates believed the womb could move around inside the body. They thought it could press against other organs and cause choking, paralysis, or fear. Some doctors placed fragrant smells near the vagina to attract the womb downwards and unpleasant smells near the nose to drive it away from the chest. However, from the 1600s, more doctors began to question this idea. By the 1800s, most doctors no longer believed the womb could travel through the body. But they still linked women’s health closely to the uterus and to women’s emotions. Because of this, women’s pain was sometimes seen as “nervous” or emotional rather than physical. Objects like this book reveal how cultural beliefs about women’s bodies shaped medical ideas. Although hysteria and the idea of the wandering womb are no longer medical diagnoses, their history reminds us that women’s symptoms are often misunderstood or overlooked. Linhui Shi, Hidden Histories MA Project Researcher

562##$aSaturday, Feb 10. 11 1877

562##$aDr. Lee was interred at "Kensal Green" Cemetery on the 12th Day of February 1877. The Funeral Service was read by the Reverend Cornelius Hart, late Vicar of Old St Pancras, London: and reader at Casgorn [??] Street Church, Mayfair. Extract from. Poc [illegible letter] (and to "Rev John / [illegible] Canterbury" 39 Runsk [?] Road Kensington 17.2.77 [Paragraph in quotation marks, many words very hard to decipher.]

562##$a[There are also five newspaper cuttings glued into the first few pages, almost alll obituaries for Dr Lee. See Dr Lee's authority record for the key biographical details.]

650#2$aHysteria

8528#$aLibrary