Abstract

VASQUEZ VALENCIA, María Fernanda. The Role of Degeneration Theory in the Understanding of Mental Illness, Colombia First Half of the Twentieth Century. Hist. Soc. [online]. 2018, n.34, pp.15-39. ISSN 0121-8417.  https://doi.org/10.15446/hys.n34.64570.

Based on medical journals and theses from the first half of the twentieth century, this article analyzes the role played by the theory of degeneration in the understanding of mental illness in Colombia. It is particularly interesting to show how Colombian physicians have appropriated concepts such as degeneration, diathesis, morbid heredity and stigmas of degeneration since the early 20th century to describe, classify and define mental illnesses present in Colombian territory. During this period the theory of degeneration served as the conceptual and theoretical framework for understanding the etiology, genesis and evolution of mental illness.

Keywords : (Author) degeneration; mental illness; abnormality; diathesis; morbid heredity; Colombia.

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