Rest cure

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The rest cure, or bed rest cure, was a 19th century treatment for many mental disorders, particularly hysteria. The most important feature was that the patient must undergo complete bed rest for 4 weeks to 2 months. In addition to bed rest the patient was secluded from all family contact in order to reduce dependence on others. The only human whom the patient was allowed to see was their nurse which massaged, bathed and clothed them. Patients were also not allowed to use their hands at all. In some extreme cases electrotherapy was prescribed. The food the patient was served usually consisted of fatty dairy products in order to revitalize the body with new energy.

Sources

• http://muweb.millersville.edu/~comp/Rineer/Rineer1.html
• http://mchip00.nyu.edu/lit-med/lit-med-db/webdocs/webdescrips/mitchell1445-des-.html