Madness, Religion and the State in Early Modern Europe: A Bavarian Beacon

by David Lederer

Book Overview

From the ideological crucible of the Reformation emerged an embittered contest for the human soul. In the care of souls, the clergy zealously dispensed spiritual physic; for countless early modern Europeans, the first echelon of mental health care. During its heyday, spiritual physic touched the lives of thousands, from penitents and pilgrims to demoniacs and mad people. Ironically, the phenomenon remains largely unexplored. Why? Through case histories...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0521123631
• ISBN13: 9780521123631
• Release Date: November 2009
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 1.13 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"