The philosopher's swoon--the concussion of Michel de Montaigne: a historical vignette.
Moshe Feinsod, Karen G Langer
World neurosurgery 2012 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2011.12.007 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Historical analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that Montaigne's vivid, introspective description of his concussion - including brief loss of consciousness, temporary confusion, and post-traumatic amnesia - provides insight into the subjective experience of recovering consciousness and may illuminate what some patients feel during concussion recovery. |
Abstract
The French philosopher Michel Eyquem de Montaigne (1533-1592) sustained a transient loss of consciousness due to a head injury. Montaigne described his concussion as a "swoon," with astutely illustrative details of the symptoms he experienced, including brief loss of consciousness, with apparent (temporary) confusion, and post-traumatic amnesia. His vivid portrayal of the recovery period lends understanding of the process of conscious awakening after his near-death experience. Thanks to his power of introspection and literary talent we may gain insight into the feelings and perceptions of some patients during their recovery from concussion.