Roseleyne Rey recognises the sociocultural dimension of pain in The History
of Pain (Harvard University Press, £25.50, ISBN 0 674 39967 6). When
Napoleon’s troops rode back into battle during the Russian campaign, some of
them having had limbs amputated, they were probably not troubled by phantom limb
pain. Also immune are the Indians who, anaesthetised by religious fervour, test
the limits of their own endurance by suspending themselves from swinging hooks.
An intriguing analysis of the evolving influences of society and culture on pain
thresholds throughout the ages.
More from Â鶹´«Ã½
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Popular articles
Trending Â鶹´«Ã½ articles
1
Are Neanderthals descendants of modern humans?
2
Hospital-acquired pneumonia reduced by daily toothbrushing
3
Why is it so hard to change your mind?
4
Surprising male G-spot found in most detailed study of the penis yet
5
The biggest threat to Chernobyl is no longer radiation
6
From autism to migraines, birth order may have wide-reaching effects
7
Neanderthal infants were enormous compared with modern humans
8
We may have just glimpsed the universe's first stars
9
Professor Daisy Fancourt on the life-changing power of the arts
10
Collapse of key ocean current may release billions of tonnes of carbon
