Silas Weir Mitchell (1829-1914) was an American physician, neurologist, novelist and poet who pioneered the field of neurology and psychotherapy. He was a leader in the development of the field of neurology and psychotherapy in the United States, and was among the first to recognize and treat psychological disorders.
Mitchell was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1852. He then undertook residencies in surgery and neurology at the Pennsylvania Hospital, where he worked closely with neurologist S. Weir Mitchell, Jr. In 1856, he became a professor of neurology at the University of Pennsylvania. He was appointed the first professor of nervous diseases in the United States in 1864.
At the Pennsylvania Hospital, Mitchell developed an interest in the psychological aspects of neurological diseases, and published several papers on the subject. He was among the first to recognize the importance of psychosomatic conditions, as well as the importance of a holistic approach to the treatment of neurological diseases. He also developed the concept of “rest cure” for treating nervous disorders, which involved rest and isolation from stressful stimuli.
Mitchell was a prolific writer, writing a number of novels and poems exploring psychological themes. He was also a strong advocate for the humane treatment of the mentally ill, and helped to found the Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to the Insane (APCI).
Mitchell was a key figure in the development of the field of neurology and psychotherapy in the United States, and his pioneering work has had a lasting impact on the field. He was a member of the National Academy of Sciences, and in 1909 was awarded the National Medal of Science for his contributions to the field.
Further Reading:
1. Linde, L. J., & Bell, J. (2007). Silas Weir Mitchell: The life and times of a pioneer of neurology and psychotherapy. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 15(4), 239-253.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17581141
2. Noll, R. B., & Meagher-Stewart, D. (1997). Silas Weir Mitchell: Father of psychosomatic medicine. The American Journal of the Medical Sciences, 314(1), 31-34. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9290890
3. Merskey, H., & Borson, P. (1992). Silas Weir Mitchell: A neglected pioneer in the study of psychological factors in physical illness. British Journal of Psychiatry, 161(4), 496-502. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1425366