Resumo

VASCONCELLOS, Cristiane Teresinha de Deus Virgili  e  VASCONCELLOS, Silvio José Lemos. Mental illness in women in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (1870-1910). Cad. Saúde Pública [online]. 2007, vol.23, n.5, pp. 1041-1049. ISSN 0102-311X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2007000500006.

The relationship between female gender and mental illness is complex, remaining largely a product of women's social situation as daughters, wives, and mothers. The main objective of this article is to discuss the historical aspects related to mental illness in women in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, from 1870 to 1910. The authors consulted records from several so-called insane asylums as well as periodical articles published during the period. These documents provide good insight into how psychiatrists and lay society interpreted mental disorders in women. The research contributes to an understanding of the historical issues related to diagnosis of mental illness and the implications for current practice.

Palavras-chave : Mental Health; Women's Health; History of Medicine.