The blog Neurophilosophy is sporting an item on Vincent Van Gogh and the history of “manic-depression” (as we once called it). The first half of the piece gives a basic outline of some of the contributions to psychiatry of Emil Kraepelin, who is often credited with having established the basic taxonomy of mental illnesses that continues to be used, in considerably expanded and revised form, to the present day. (Thanks to the Mind Hacks feature “Spike Activity” for pointing me to this item.)

Linked to the Neurophilosophy piece is a beautifully illustrated webpage entitled “The Troubled Life of Vincent Van Gogh” by Bonnie Butterfield of California State University at San Bernardino.