Young adult author Malinda Lo has written a short story called The Cure. Lo (pictured, via) has posted this piece online at Interfictions; readers can access it free of charge.
According to Lo’s blog post, she became inspired to write The Cure when she was researching the history of hysteria. The story focuses on a theoretical cure for this psychological condition.
Here’s an excerpt: “When the doctor slapped me, I fell silent in shock, and he told me that my emotions had gotten the best of me, that my delicate female constitution couldn’t handle so much education, that I had best withdraw for the rest of the semester and focus on more womanly arts: some light embroidery, perhaps, in preparation for my upcoming wedding. I broke into laughter, because his explanation was so ridiculous it warranted nothing less. As if the prospect of my marriage could cure me.”