Description
This book, Mad Travelers: Reflections on the Reality of Transient Mental Illnesses (Page-Barbour Lectures) by Ian Hacking, explores the case of Albert Dadas, the first diagnosed mad traveler or fuguer. Dadas suffered from a compulsion to travel obsessively, often without knowing who he was or why he traveled. The book examines the historical context of this phenomenon, including a small epidemic of compulsive travelers in the late 19th century.
It also draws parallels to modern mental illnesses and discusses the debate surrounding the legitimacy of cultural influences versus physical symptoms in psychiatric diagnoses. Hacking argues that psychological symptoms can find specific ecological niches where transient illnesses flourish.
Key Features:
- Explores the case of Albert Dadas and the phenomenon of mad travelers.
- Discusses the historical and cultural factors influencing psychiatric diagnoses.
- Analyzes the relevance of historical case studies for contemporary society.
- Based on the records of physician Philippe Tissie.
This is a used book in good condition.