Inflammation of the mind. On the 300th anniversary of Gerard van Swieten

Abstract

History teaches that the ancient phrenitis concept has been used until the 19th century. After that time the concept was replaced by the word delirium. By their epigonic character the detailed descriptions of phrenitis by Van Swieten mark only the end of an uncritical use of the term. The epoch-making work of Morgagni, based on clinical-anatomical observations, provides a definitive insight into the location of the condition and into many pathologic features. Pinel is the last author who mentions phrenitis in a classification of diseases. After that time phrenitis became a vanished disease.