„Krwiopuszczare, purgare, klisterisare” O Chorym z urojenia Moliera
Clysterium donare, postea segniare, ensuite purgare On The Imaginary Invalid by Moliere

Author(s): Małgorzata Rygielska
Subject(s): Studies of Literature
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Śląskiego
Summary/Abstract: The author of this paper interprets one of Moliere’s last plays The Imaginary Invalid through the prism of the following characters portrayed there: two physicians Mr. Diafoirus and his son Thomas Diafoirus, the apothecary Mr. Fleurant and the patient Argan. The author analyzes the language aspect of the play and both its literary and theatrical means of expression. However, what she finds specifically interesting in the play authored by Jean Baptiste Poquelin is the clash of the remains of scholastic medicine with the latest medical discoveries of that time, e.g. those relating to blood circulation and modern philosophical conceptions, among which the apotheosis of reason is dominant. Examples of hygienic and medicinal practices that are supposed to also have a prophylactic effect, and thus prevent diseases, are, inter alia, phlebotomy, laxatives and enema. A point of reference for Moliere are also healing practices used at the royal court, the nature and frequency of which (public or private) were reflected in the court hierarchy and social standing. Another problem is a relationship between physical ailments and patients’ mental attitude as well as their assessment of the reality as well as intentions and sets of behavior represented by people surrounding them.

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