May 13, 2023
Prepping a fresh re-read for a proper #GirlRotting #Summer
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Prepping a fresh re-read for a proper #GirlRotting #Summer
The "Rest Cure" for women is notorious. But the "West Cure" for men, though little known today, is a fundamental part of American mythology.
Women suffering from neurasthenia were given the treatment that resulted in Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s classic short story “The Yellow Wallpaper.” Her “nerve doctor,” Silas Weir Mitchell, regularly proscribed bed-rest, force-feeding, and total abstention from creative work for women. Even reading was banned. “Live as domestic a life as possible,” said the specialist to his women patients.
It may come as no surprise that Dr. Mitchell prescribed something entirely different for male neurasthenics. He sent them West, to the great outdoors. One of his patients, Owen Wister, wrote the first modern western. Barbara Will connects these facts in her examination of the “nervous origins of the American western,” published in American Literature in 1998.
Thanks to Gilman, the “Rest Cure” for women is notorious. But the West Cure for men, on the other hand, is little known today. Yet it’s a fundamental part of the origins of the modern western and the mythology of the West. The West Cure was a strenuous rest, a mind- and body-toughening escape from the supposedly deleterious effects of civilization. And, in opposition to what Mitchell told women to do, he urged his male patients to write about their experiences in the West.
Just popping in to thank e.w Hornung for giving us rest cure…
Rip E.W Hornung you would have loved ao3
"WARDEN IRVINE CRITICALLY ILL," Kingston Daily Standard. May 7, 1913. Page 1. ---- He Left To-day For Montreal For Treatment. ---- Col. Irvine, warden of the Penitentiary, is very critically ill from chronic complaint, and left to-day for Montreal, where he will enter a hospital. His condition is such, it is understood that he has been ordered by his physician to leave the penitentiary and take a rest.
About two weeks ago Col. Irvine took a chill, which developed into a severe cold. This brought on chronic ailment, malarial ague, from which the warden has been a long sufferer. He has been unable to at tend to his duties at the penitentiary for some time, and was confined to his room at the British American Hotel for the past ten days. Instead of improving, however, he has steadily declined in health.
Col. Irvine was to meet his relatives in Montreal to-night. It is understood that they will take him to a hospital in that city, where he will rest for a few days. If his condition improves he will proceed with them to their home in Quebec, where he will remain until he has recovered. Owing to the warden's advaneed age, being 76 years old, it is stated that his condition is very critical.
"DUNNING SAILS IN SEARCH OF HEALTH," Montreal Gazette. August 5, 1939. Page 11. ---- Seeking a rest in England to regain his lost health, Hon. Charles A. Dunning, Minister of Finance, sailed from Montreal yesterday in the liner Montelare. He is seen here ascending the gangway into the ship, followed by several friends, Alan Jones, John Bassett. H. R. Cockfield and Hon. J. L. Ralston. Mr. Dunning, who sailed alone, went immediately to his cabin aboard the liner, but appeared at a porthole as the ship was sailing to wave good-by to his wife, his son, Avery, and his daughter. Kay. Forced out of active politics by ill health, Mr. Dunning recently tendered his resignation, but it was not accepted. He will be abroad for some time.
CPR Photo.
View of The Inn at Charlevoix, Michigan. Printed on front: "The Inn, Charlevoix-the-Beautiful, Mich." Printed on back: "Made in U.S.A. by E.C. Kropp Co., Milwaukee, Wis." Handwritten on back: "You know how indifferent I was about coming up but am glad now to be here. The days have been hot but the nights are nice & cool. Have been out so much need by the time I get back I'm thinking I'll need the 'Rest Cure.' Love, Rae C. Levy." Card is postmarked July 13, 1937.
Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
Silas Weir Mitchell was an eminent US doctor, best remembered for his Rest Cure. Was he a good doctor, or was his treatment little more than
Silas Weir Mitchell was an eminent United States doctor, perhaps best remembered today for pioneering the Rest Cure. Was he a good doctor, or was his treatment little more than mental cruelty?
Great opening paragraph!
Source details and larger version.