1876

American surgeons begin performing ovariotomies (oophorectomy) on gynecologically healthy women demanding something be done for their depression/malaise (= George Beard’s neurasthenia [nervous exhaustion]). Robert Kitto of Racine, WI, wrote in 1891: “She said, ‘Dr. Kitto, have you succeeded in removing the offending appendages?’ Being answered in the affirmative, she smiled and said, ‘I am so happy, and I feel so different that I know I shall now remain well’” (Kitto).