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Machado de Assis' Original Sin.

Gabriel R de Freitas

    Frontiers of Neurology and Neuroscience
    |November 13, 2018
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Machado de Assis likely had temporal lobe epilepsy, a condition he concealed due to societal stigma. Despite this neurological disorder and other adversities, he became a preeminent Brazilian literary figure.

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    Area of Science:

    • Neurology
    • Literary History
    • Medical Humanities

    Background:

    • Analysis of contemporary accounts and personal correspondence suggests Machado de Assis suffered from temporal lobe epilepsy, likely originating in the non-dominant hemisphere.
    • The literary giant received treatment with bromides and homeopathic remedies during his lifetime.

    Discussion:

    • Machado de Assis exhibited significant shame regarding his epilepsy, avoiding the term and only discussing it privately in later life.
    • Despite the neurological condition, evidence for associated personality disorders remains inconclusive.
    • The impact of his temporal lobe epilepsy on his celebrated literary output is not definitively established.

    Key Insights:

    • Historical evidence points to Machado de Assis managing temporal lobe epilepsy, a condition heavily stigmatized during his era.

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  • His personal writings reveal a deep-seated shame and avoidance of openly acknowledging his epilepsy.

    • Outlook:

    • Further research could explore the potential, albeit unproven, influence of neurological conditions on artistic creation.
    • Understanding Machado de Assis's experience offers insights into the historical perception and management of epilepsy and its social impact.