Literature and Medicine: Volume 1: The Eighteenth Century

This collection offers a valuable overview of the relationship between literature and medicine in the eighteenth and Romantic periods, examining how diseases, disability, gender, race, rank, sexuality, the global and colonial, politics, ethics, and the visual shaped these two fields. It highlights the role of literary genres in affecting people's experience of physical and mental illness.

Format: Hardback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 24 June 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

In the eighteenth and Romantic centuries, when most diseases lacked a cure, this collection offers a comprehensive and timely examination of the interplay between literature and medicine. Spanning a period of significant transformation in both fields, the volume explores the intricate mutual construction of medicine and literature through diverse perspectives, including disability, gender, race, rank, sexuality, global and colonial relations, politics, ethics, and the visual. It delves into the ways in which diseases, both fashionable and otherwise, such as Defoe's portrayal of the plague, played a central role in shaping authors' arguments about the role of literary genres in influencing people's experiences of physical and mental illness (and health). This volume, along with its sister publication, Literature and Medicine in the Nineteenth Century, serves as a significant critical overview of the study of literature and medicine.

Introduction:
The eighteenth and Romantic centuries were a time of great change and innovation in both literature and medicine. During this period, many diseases lacked effective treatments, and medical knowledge was still in its infancy. However, literature played a crucial role in shaping how people perceived and experienced illness.
Literary Representations of Illness:
Authors of the time often used literature to explore the human experience of illness, both physical and mental. They depicted diseases as powerful forces that could disrupt lives and challenge individuals' resilience. For example, in his novel "Robinson Crusoe," Daniel Defoe vividly describes the effects of the plague on the island community, highlighting the devastating impact it had on individuals and families.
Medical Knowledge and Treatment:
At the same time, medical knowledge was rapidly evolving, and new treatments and therapies were being developed. However, these developments were often limited to the wealthy and privileged, leaving many people without access to proper healthcare. Physicians and surgeons continued to rely on traditional methods of treatment, such as bloodletting and herbal remedies, which were often ineffective and sometimes harmful.
The Role of Literature:
Despite these challenges, literature continued to play a vital role in shaping how people understood and responded to illness. It provided a means for individuals to express their fears, hopes, and experiences of illness, and it helped to normalize the experience of being ill. Literature also provided a platform for medical professionals to communicate their knowledge and expertise to a wider audience.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the relationship between literature and medicine in the eighteenth and Romantic centuries was complex and multifaceted. While medical knowledge was still evolving, literature provided a means for individuals to express their experiences of illness and helped to shape how people perceived and responded to illness. By examining the interplay between these two fields, we can gain a deeper understanding of the human experience of illness and the ways in which literature and medicine have influenced one another over time.

Weight: 566g
Dimension: 209 x 291 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108420860