[Diagnostic categories and gender: two examples in contemporary Spanish medicine, chlorosis and neurasthenia (1877-1936)]

Abstract

Chlorosis and Neurasthenia are two classical examples of pathological dissociations and the difficulties involved in approaching their diagnosis using scientific-naturalistic criteria. In the realm of those difficulties, the study examines the androcentric viewpoint and the ideological perspective of Contemporary Spanish Medicine when addressing the feminine nature and women's pathologies. Moreover, based on the similarities with present-day pain and fatigue syndromes, the study underlines the need to review the clinical approach to these illnesses by attempting to overcome the existing biomedical limitations.