Charcot’s 1886 Preface to Sœur Jeanne des Anges: Autobiographie d’une hysterique possédée: An English Rendition (P4.9-059)

Objective: To provide an English translation of the preface that Jean-Martin Charcot (1825–1893) wrote for the book Sœur Jeanne des Anges, superieure des Ursulines de Loudun (XVIIe siecle): Autobiographie d’une hysterique possedee (Sister Jeanne of the Angels, Superior of the Ursulines of Loudun [17th century]: Autobiography of a Possessed Hysteric) (1886) by Gabriel Legue (1847–1913) and Georges Gilles de la Tourette (1857–1904). Background: Legue and Gilles de la Tourette edited and annotated the autobiographical manuscript written by the famous nun Jeanne des Anges (1602–1665). Charcot, their mentor, wrote a five-page preface for this book. Design/Methods: The original edition of this preface was used (Paris: G. Charpentier et Cie, 1886). This translation was made by two of the authors (GDG and CRN). Results: Charcot initially emphasized the interest that this book would unleash in different disciplines (ie, history, psychology and medicine). He then highlighted the special relevance of this historical document, which mainly resides in its autobiographical character. He also pointed out the abundance of details in the manuscript. He later described la passion hysterique, that is, the clinical manifestations of hysteria, including pseudocyesis. Afterwards, he briefly defended the nosological constancy of hysteria over time and compared this autobiographical book with those brilliantly written by Saint Teresa of Avila (1515–1582). He did not elaborate on the authors’ biography or bibliography since, according to Charcot, both were by then widely known. He mentioned, nevertheless, two books by the authors that are especially relevant for the current topic: Urbain Grandier et les possedees de Loudun (1880) by Legue and Theophraste Renaudot: d’apres des documents inedits (1884) by Gilles de la Tourette. Conclusions: In his preface, Charcot recognized the importance of this book and reaffirmed his ideas about hysteria. Disclosure: Dr. Delgado-Garcia has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for Neurology Resident and Fellow section. Dr. Delgado-Garcia has received research support from Fundacion Carlos Slim. Dr. Rodriguez-Navarez has nothing to disclose. Dr. Corona Vazquez has nothing to disclose. Dr. Vidal has nothing to disclose.