卢梭的病：医学与史学的综合解读

Rousseau's Illnesses:A Comprehensive Explanation from the Medical and Historical Perspectives

如何理解卢梭的病?在有关哲学、宗教与思想观念的论述中,卢梭的思想是独立的,无关乎身心病痛;而在医学研究界,病痛与思想又是分离的。根据历史文本中卢梭病痛的描述、叙说,参考法国医学史的研究,可证实卢梭患有急性间歇紫质症,病发时表现为腹部症状(胃胀、腹痛)、神经症状(耳鸣、痉挛)和精神问题(抑郁、妄想)。18世纪的医生难以诊断,卢梭由于反复发作的病情而受到误解。《爱弥尔》出版后,他的宗教观受到天主教会的责难,颠沛流离、生活窘迫,于是患上被害妄想症。卢梭的思想由启蒙向浪漫风格的转变,以及他去世后多变的历史形象与其身心病痛有关。

How are we to understand Rousseau's ailments?In the philosophical,religious and intellectual literature on the subject,Rousseau's thought is independent of his physical and mental illnesses;while from the point view of medical research,illness has nothing to do with thought.But according to historical descriptions and narratives concerning his ailments,and taking into account research on French medical history,it is evident that Rousseau was troubled by acute intermittent porphyria,with the symptoms of abdominal disturbances(gastric distention,stomach ache),nervous symptoms(tinnitus,convulsions)and mental problems(depression,delusions).Doctors in the 18th century could not diagnose these correctly,so that Rousseau's recurrent attacks of sickness were misunderstood.After the publication of Emile, his ideas on religion were censured by the Roman Catholic Church and he fell on hard times, wandering from place to place,which brought about delusions of persecution.The change in Rousseau's style from enlightenment to romantic and his ever-changing historical image is related to his physical and mental illnesses.