Shunamitism

Shunamitism

Shunamitism is the practice of an old man sleeping with, but not necessarily having sex with, a young woman (e.g. virgin) to preserve his youth. The rationale was that the heat and moisture of the young woman would transfer to the old man and revitalize him. [ [http://www.bmj.com/cgi/reprint/321/7276/1580.pdf Steven Shapin and Christopher Martyn, “How to live forever: lessons of history”, British Medical Journal, BMJ 2000;321;1580-1582] ]

The term is based on the Biblical story of King David and Abishag, a young woman from Shunem. When King David was old and could not stay warm, his servants found Abishag to sleep with him.

Among scientific physicians, both Thomas Sydenham (17th century) and Herman Boerhaave (18th century) prescribed shunamitism for their patients.

ee also

Rejuvenation (aging)

References


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • shunamitism — /shooˈnə mi ti zm/ noun Rejuvenation of an old man by means of a young woman ORIGIN: Abishag the Shunammite (Bible, 1 Kings 1.3) …   Useful english dictionary

  • shunamitism — The rejuvenation of an older man by a younger woman …   Grandiloquent dictionary

  • Abishag — a young woman of Shunem, distinguished for her beauty. She was chosen to be a helper and servant to David in his old age. Among Abishag s jobs was to lie next to David and keep him warm; however, David did not have sexual relations with her (1… …   Wikipedia

  • Shunem — is a little village mentioned in the Bible. It was located in the tribe of Issachar, to the north of Jezreel and south of Mount Gilboa and *Where the prophet Elisha was hospitably entertained by a rich woman whose son Elisha later revived after… …   Wikipedia

  • Rejuvenation (aging) — Rejuvenation is the procedure of reversing the aging process, thus regaining youth. As people get older, their health worsens, strength and intelligence generally diminish, and beauty is thought by many to go away. Rejuvenation is distinct from… …   Wikipedia

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