[Ritualized suffering as a factor of recovery]

Ritualised suffering as a possible factor in convalescence is discussed and a phenomenalistic analysis has been carried out. Most of the examples are derived from the religious sciences and social anthropology. The different modes of behaviour, e.g. the individual and collective suffering pattern, are compared. Furthermore the analogous behaviour, i.e. the overcoming of suffering through suffering, is contrasted to the antithetical behaviour, i.e. the overcoming of suffering through cheerfulness.