Vapours (disease)

The term referring to illnesses known as Vapours (or vapors) is an archaic form for certain mental or physical states, such as hysteria, mania, clinical depression, bipolar disorder, fainting, withdrawal syndrome, mood swings or PMS, ascribed primarily to women and thought to be caused by internal emanations. This is related to the similar term female hysteria. Vapors were considered to be the female equivalent to melancholy found in men.

See also

"The Anatomy of Melancholy, what it is, with all the kinds, causes, symptoms, prognostics, and several cures of it." In three partitions. With their several sections, members, and subsections, philosophically, medically, historically opened and cut up. By Democritus Junior (Robert Burton). With a satirical preface, conducing to the following discourse. London; William Tegg and Co., Queen Street, Cheapside. 1854.