Hysterical Anesthesia
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Hysterical Anesthesia
Demonstration of anaesthesia in a patient at La Salpetriere, Paris, while in a state of hysteria Date: 1887
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Media ID 14270357
© Mary Evans Picture Library
1887 Demonstration Hysteria Hysterical Patient Salpetriere Anaesthesia Anesthesia Paranormal
EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph, titled "Hysterical Anesthesia" and dated 1887, offers a glimpse into the intriguing world of late 19th-century medical practices. The image was captured at La Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris, a renowned institution for the study and treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders. The subject of the photograph is a woman in a state of hysteria, undergoing a demonstration of anesthesia. Hysteria, a diagnosis commonly given to women experiencing a range of physical and emotional symptoms, was believed to be a largely psychological condition at the time. The anesthesia was being administered as part of an attempt to understand the relationship between hysteria and the paranormal, a popular area of investigation during this period. The woman's expression is one of intense emotion, her eyes wide and her mouth open in a silent scream. Her body is contorted, with her arms raised and her legs spread apart. The room is filled with an air of anticipation and uncertainty, as onlookers observe the scene with a mixture of fascination and apprehension. The anesthesia itself is being administered by a doctor, who stands calmly at the woman's side, holding a syringe. The anesthetic, likely ether or chloroform, is being administered through a mask, which is held over the woman's face. The use of anesthesia during this time was still a relatively new concept, and its effects on those in a state of hysteria were not well understood. This photograph provides a fascinating window into the past, offering a glimpse into the world of late 19th-century medical practices and the complex relationship between science, medicine, and the paranormal. It also serves as a reminder of the ways in which our understanding of mental health and the human body has evolved over time.
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