Mystical Bedlam MADNESS, ANXIETY, AND HEALING IN SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY ENGLAND: the all-encompassing report of the works of Richard Napier during his time of practice from 1597 to 1634. The purpose of the book is to describe the manner in which mental disorders were viewed and experienced during the era and its effects throughout Europe. The author, Michael Macdonald argues that magical and religious beliefs had strong results on the mental world of common folk because of their protruding cultural influence. The main subjects regarding the cultural aspects of mental illness are explained in brief throughout the book.
The study enforces its attention on the treatments of the mentally ill of Englishmen. The text recounts the inflictions that …show more content…
Macdonald himself voices his views on the matter : “A la mode in Jacobean England, and the rage for this fashionable affliction popularized medical ideas about emotional distress.” The author includes statistics using a table of Napier’s recorded notes, indicating 23% of the physicians patients suffered from melancholy. Another doctor of the time known as Burton is quoted by the author : “Never yielded such confusion of tongues as the chaos of melancholy doth variety of symptoms.” In retrospect, patients claiming they suffered from melancholy were overreacting. The use of Shakespearian plays: Hamlet and Othello, were exemplified as issues that the excessive emotional trend culturally …show more content…
The use of primary source examples of Napier’s patients. The one account of Mistress Sara Wheelowes is told. She was exorcised by her father and had the devil removed from her soul. There was small discretization of nonscientific medicine because of the lack of education among village folk. The information of social differentiation is recounted to have the reader understand the levels of educational knowledge regarding medicine for Englishmen of the time. Mental illness was crucially questioned during England’s 17th and 18th century. The author addresses the works of Napier who was a very neutral example. The author could have used a doctor who was more biased in specifically spiritual or medical treatments. Macdonald is aware of the fact that Napier’s practice was very open-minded. He makes it clear to the reader that he believes the conduct of Napier’s practice was impeccable for the social and cultural features of the
The study enforces its attention on the treatments of the mentally ill of Englishmen. The text recounts the inflictions that …show more content…
Macdonald himself voices his views on the matter : “A la mode in Jacobean England, and the rage for this fashionable affliction popularized medical ideas about emotional distress.” The author includes statistics using a table of Napier’s recorded notes, indicating 23% of the physicians patients suffered from melancholy. Another doctor of the time known as Burton is quoted by the author : “Never yielded such confusion of tongues as the chaos of melancholy doth variety of symptoms.” In retrospect, patients claiming they suffered from melancholy were overreacting. The use of Shakespearian plays: Hamlet and Othello, were exemplified as issues that the excessive emotional trend culturally …show more content…
The use of primary source examples of Napier’s patients. The one account of Mistress Sara Wheelowes is told. She was exorcised by her father and had the devil removed from her soul. There was small discretization of nonscientific medicine because of the lack of education among village folk. The information of social differentiation is recounted to have the reader understand the levels of educational knowledge regarding medicine for Englishmen of the time. Mental illness was crucially questioned during England’s 17th and 18th century. The author addresses the works of Napier who was a very neutral example. The author could have used a doctor who was more biased in specifically spiritual or medical treatments. Macdonald is aware of the fact that Napier’s practice was very open-minded. He makes it clear to the reader that he believes the conduct of Napier’s practice was impeccable for the social and cultural features of the