The nineteenth century conception of neurasthenia is giving way to a psychological ætiology and classification. Quotations show that the older conception dies hard, and varied physical factors are invoked as causes of tropical neurasthenia.
Australian experience shows the physical factors present without “neurasthenia.” It is suggested that mal-adjustment is not physiological but sociological.
The possibility of psychoneuroses appearing in the guise of tropical diseases.
Effect of selection of personnel in reducing breakdown.
The writer doubts the existence of a neurasthenia special to the tropics, and urges that the use of the phrase “tropical neurasthenia” should be discontinued.
References
1.
Lancet, 1930 (i), 1–4.
2.
C. J. S. (The Bishop of Singapore), Brit Med. Journ., 1926 (i), 503.
