The public opinion and the scientific community incorrectly believe that the English term lunatic was originally related only to insanity, but it also referred to epileptic people. The aim of this article is to clarify the original meaning of the English word lunatic by analyzing the evolution of the relationship between psychiatric and neurological diseases and by pointing out the influence of the moon in the history of medicine, in popular traditions, and in English literature. The article also contains a detailed and accurate review of the modern scientific literature on the relationship between moon and epilepsy/psychiatric disorders. Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

Riva, M., Tremolizzo, L., Spicci, M., Ferrarese, C., DE VITO, G., Cesana, G., et al. (2011). The disease of the moon: The linguistic and pathological evolution of the English term lunatic. JOURNAL OF THE HISTORY OF THE NEUROSCIENCES, 20(1), 65-73 [10.1080/0964704X.2010.481101].

The disease of the moon: The linguistic and pathological evolution of the English term lunatic

RIVA, MICHELE AUGUSTO
Primo
;
TREMOLIZZO, LUCIO
Secondo
;
FERRARESE, CARLO;DE VITO, GIOVANNI;CESANA, GIANCARLO
Penultimo
;
2011

Abstract

The public opinion and the scientific community incorrectly believe that the English term lunatic was originally related only to insanity, but it also referred to epileptic people. The aim of this article is to clarify the original meaning of the English word lunatic by analyzing the evolution of the relationship between psychiatric and neurological diseases and by pointing out the influence of the moon in the history of medicine, in popular traditions, and in English literature. The article also contains a detailed and accurate review of the modern scientific literature on the relationship between moon and epilepsy/psychiatric disorders. Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
epileptic; insane; lunatic; medical terms; moon; sleepwalker; Epilepsy; Europe; History, 15th Century; History, 16th Century; History, 17th Century; History, 18th Century; History, 19th Century; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; History, Ancient; History, Medieval; Humans; Psychiatry; Psychotic Disorders; Moon; Names; Neuroscience (all); Neurology (clinical); History and Philosophy of Science
English
2011
20
1
65
73
none
Riva, M., Tremolizzo, L., Spicci, M., Ferrarese, C., DE VITO, G., Cesana, G., et al. (2011). The disease of the moon: The linguistic and pathological evolution of the English term lunatic. JOURNAL OF THE HISTORY OF THE NEUROSCIENCES, 20(1), 65-73 [10.1080/0964704X.2010.481101].
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/171749
Citazioni
  • Scopus 25
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 23
Social impact