The Curious History of “Hysterical Paroxysm”: A Medical Practice of the 19th Century
Questionable Medical Procedures: Risks and Ethics In the annals of medical history, there are practices that now seem outlandish or even unethical. One such practice involves the treatment of women diagnosed with “hysteria” in the 19th and early 20th centuries. During this period, doctors frequently induced orgasms — referred to as “hysterical paroxysms” — in female patients as a treatment for this condition. This article delves into the historical context, the procedures used, and the eventual cessation of this practice. The concept of hysteria dates back to ancient Greece, with Hippocrates describing it as a condition originating from the uterus. By the 19th century, hysteria was a catch-all diagnosis for a range of symptoms, including anxiety, insomnia, irritability, nervousness, and even fainting. It was predominantly diagnosed in women and was believed to be caused by a dysfunction of the female reproductive organs. Doctors in the 19t...