Chlorosis, a type of hypochromic anemia, caused young women’s skin to adopt a greenish hue, often linked to inactivity and iron deficiency. It was termed 'green sickness'.
Historically referred to as 'morbus virgineus' or virgin's disease, chlorosis was thought to result from prolonged virginity, with Shakespeare associating it with Juliet's chaste character.
The aesthetic appeal of chlorosis led to its portrayal in art, as the green hue symbolized youth, nature, and envy. Portraits captured this fascination with the condition.
Despite its historical significance, chlorosis is largely forgotten today, yet its legacies in literature and art remind us of the past interpretations of women's health.
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