Giuseppe Pasta (1742–1823) and Courage in Medicine

This paper examines an often-forgotten medical essay written by the Italian physician Giuseppe Pasta (1742–1823) in 1792 that first underlined the importance of the psychic and emotional components in a doctor-patient relationship. This paper analyzes the contents of the essay “Del coraggio nelle malattie” (“On Courage in Disease”) by Pasta, highlighting the innovative aspects of the work and contextualizing them to the historical period in which the text was written. In his essay, Pasta states that he is unable to explain the effects of the soul (or spirit) on the human body. He considers courage to be the most noble, powerful and imperative emotion in people who are sick. In his opinion, doctors should instil courage in their patients, thereby counteracting negative feelings that could reduce courage. If patients in a desperate state of health have enough confidence in their doctor, it can also increase their courage. Some illnesses can only be cured with words; therefore, a good doctor should spend as much time with their patients as is necessary to create in them – through verbal and non-verbal means – positive reactions and courage in dealing with their state. In conclusion, the work of Giuseppe Pasta may be one of the first texts that has analyzed the psychic and emotional components in the doctor-patient relationship.