A headache history

Abstract

Reviews the book, A Headache History by Mervyn J. Eadie (2012). Mervyn Eadie has an enviable published record and reputation for his work over many years concerned with epilepsy, pharmacology, headaches and neurological history. His reasons for attempting this brave venture are that there might be a place for a longer account of the history of knowledge of human headache, especially its more scientific aspects, which takes a particular interest in the ways the symptom has been understood and that understanding translated into attempts to benefit headache sufferers. In 10 chapters, he first reviews and comments perceptively on the notions and descriptions of headaches, starting with classification, theories about the site of origin of headache, culminating in an appraisal of headaches prior to 1800. Throughout the text, ideas and comments commendably simplify a bewildering range of facts and speculations. In the final chapter Mervyn Eadie adopts a reflective mood, discussing the ways that ancient descriptions and consequent knowledge have evolved. He traces a path in which someone has collected observations of a disorder, then identified their common features that have allowed the demarcation of a hitherto unrecognized headache entity. Of many books and essays devoted to the history of migraine, this in my opinion yields the best and most assiduous compilation and criticism, quoting many investigators of headache whose work has been unrecognized or neglected. It is a delight to browse and learn from this elegant, well-written text. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)