Traces the literary, philosophical, and moral themes of madness as well as its social and theological impact in the sixteenth through eighteenth centuries.

Abridged translation of Folie et déraison: Histoire de la folie à l'ge classique.

"Stultifera Navis" -- The great confinement -- The insane -- Passion and delirium -- Aspects of madness -- Doctors and patients -- The great fear -- The new division -- The birth of the asylum -- Conclusion.