Augusto Tamburini (1848-1918) and Jean-Martin Charcot (1825-1893): the struggle for a scientific approach to Hysteria

Neurol Sci. 2025 May 13. doi: 10.1007/s10072-025-08235-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This article explores the scientific relationship between Augusto Tamburini (1848-1918) and Jean-Martin Charcot (1825-1893) through a detailed analysis of archival documents. It also investigates Tamburini’s conception of hypnotism based on the complex interplay between the Salpêtrière and Nancy schools of hypnotism, which is emblematic of Charcot’s influence on Italian medicine at the turn of the nineteenth century. Tamburini, a leading Italian psychiatrist, was instrumental in modernizing asylum care, integrating experimental psychology into clinical practice, and advancing psychiatric research. We examine Tamburini’s connection with Charcot and present two significant historical documents: the account of Charcot’s 1881 visit to the San Lazzaro asylum, directed by Tamburini, and the obituary he wrote in 1893 to honor the French master. Charcot’s visit reinforced San Lazzaro’s prominence in psychiatric research, particularly in hysteria and hypnosis, and affirmed Tamburini’s methodological alignment with the French neurologist. Both scholars utilized photography as a tool for psychiatric documentation, reflecting their commitment to empirical inquiry. Initially following Charcot’s neuropathological model of hypnosis, Tamburini later proposed a more integrative theory, incorporating elements of the psychological perspective proposed by Hippolyte Bernheim (1840-1919). His evolving stance illustrated the broader scientific debates of the time while maintaining a strong foundation in experimental methods. Tamburini’s obituary for Charcot emphasized his admiration for the French neurologist’s scientific rigor and lasting contributions to neurology and psychiatry. Ultimately, Tamburini’s work exemplifies how Italian psychiatry, while influenced by Charcot, established its own distinct and respected identity.

PMID:40358799 | DOI:10.1007/s10072-025-08235-2