The ancient Greeks coined the word hypochondria because of their assessment that the many and varied symptoms were caused by a disorder originating beneath the cartilages of the lower ribs, however throughout the twentieth century the prevailing view was that the set of symptoms were related to a fear of imaginary illnesses which produced an unwarranted and irrational interest in health. Nevertheless in my assessment the primary factor which generated an interest in health was the fact that doctors were unable to provide a plausible explanation for a persons symptoms and because the person had not achieved a cure despite the fact that they had diligently followed medical advice and taken the prescribed treatment for many years.

This page contains two primary quotes. The first quote represents the medical opinion about hypochondria which prevailed throughout the twentieth century with some minor variations on the general theme, and which was generated by the medical literature and is evident from the newspaper, radio, and television portrayal of the complaint, and which generated the common public understanding (misconception) of the condition. This specific medical opinion was published in London in1928, during the lifetime of Alexander Leeper, and was widely distributed as a medical reference book for the general public. Thirteen doctors contributed to this book which was called "The Modern Family Doctor".

The second quote gives an account of the actual life and achievements of Alexander Leeper who was described as having "massive hypochondria". He kept extensive diaries in which he recorded everything about his life and his health.

By comparing these two quotes the extremes of the discrepancy can be clearly seen, and are very easily found in the biographies of other famous people such as Charles Darwin, the genius, Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, Howard Hughes, the American Billionaire, Napoleone, the French Emperor, and Moliere, the French author of comedy plays.

At the end of this page I provide some other relevant quotes which will be of interest to people who wish to study this subject.

The stage of adolescence is the period of "man in the making" and lasts about 10 years, during which time the higher mental qualities are formed and character and conduct take their final shape. "It is the critical period of life and the good or evil habits now acquired remain until the end."
With the arrival of manhood there should be altruism which is the quality that organised society is built upon, and as Martial said long ago men should be able "To look on death with placid eye, And neither fear nor wish to die."
"With the neurasthenic and hypochondriac it is quite the opposite. "To both a morbid fear of death is ever present, although usually not admitted, perhaps not even realised. This obsession colours the entire outlook on life."
Most children develop into mature adults with courage and wisdom but neurasthenics and hypochondriacs remain childlike, egoistic, and self-centered, and they may be specious, plausible, and good at making excuses.
If the minds of these patients is deeply probed they can be found to have had all healthy inclinations starved and withered, and to be like unweeded gardens "in which envy, hatred, malice, and spite have been allowed to flourish", and they are so self-absorbed that there is no room for outside interests.
These patients have "no kindliness of heart, no love of country" and no generosities, and if they have any friends at all they have no real affection for them. They vegetate in selfishness and are usually moral and physical cowards. "Although history for him has no meaning, and literature no existence, and ignorant of his own ignorance, and most ignorant of what he's most assured, yet he has very decided opinions, and is good at making a platitude plausible by making it pompous, but he never really thinks; he only thinks he thinks."
In vengeance for this nature might bring about what is politely called a nervous breakdown, and the patient may whine that fate has been unkind and that he has inherited weak nerves from his parents or race. He may acquire a thorough knowledge of the latest pseudo-scientific jargon but he cannot be persuaded to understand "that his condition is the logical outcome of his wretched scheme of existence, that having graduated in the school of selfishness, he has simply educated and qualified himself for the misery which now knocks at his door. Nature does not return good for evil; she gives blow for blow."
The only hope for this type of person is to take up religion, purge their souls, read the New Testament, pray to God, admit to the sins of their wretched lives, and to start working to improve their character.
Otherwise trying to convince these patients that their health concerns are unfounded is like trying to reason with an ass.
The conclusion to be deduced is that the conditions of neurasthenia and hypochondria are "the result of a process of wrong thinking, wrong living, and wrong feeling."

Reference: The Modern Family Doctor (1928) p.157-158.

Alexander Leeper has been described as having "massive hypochondria". He kept extensive diaries in which he recorded everything about his life and his health.

The achievements of Alexander Leeper are too numerous to be comprehensively covered in a brief essay but I will describe some of them.
He showed signs of brilliance from the age of 5 and was first educated by his father at home and then sent to private schools.
At the age of 13 he topped his class in Classics, French, and Scripture.
He later sat for and passed an entrance exam for the Indian Civil Service, but he did not pursue that course probably because he would have been rejected on the grounds of his poor health.
In 1865 he won a scholarship to study at Trinity College Dublin (University of Dublin), where he completed a degree in Classics.

In 1871 R.T. Tyrrell, professor of Greek, described him as the best viva voce translator that he had ever met, and Arthur Palmer, professor of Latin, described him as the best classic he had ever examined and believed that he would eventually come to be regarded as one of the most distinguished scholars produced by the University of Dublin in modern times. The professor of Greek at Queen's University in Galway praised his special aptitude as a teacher.
In 1872 he sat for an open scholarship to St. John's college of Oxford University, and was granted a special exhibition of 100 pounds a year for 5 years which was the equivalent value of the scholarship. In 1874 he gained a "first" in Classical Moderations.
In Australia he became the Second Master of Melbourne Grammar School, where he was also Senior Master of Classics, and he established the school library, museum, and newspaper.
He was also appointed principal of Trinity College Melbourne, and later changed the title to Warden, and developed the college as a role model for other colleges associated with the Melbourne University.
He was on the Council of the Melbourne University where he recommended reforms which were implemented, and he was on the state Council of Public Education.
In 1880 he delivered the main speech, about university colleges, at the Social Sciences Congress, which was a by-product of an International Exhibition.
He was one of the Trustees of the Public Library, Museums, and National Gallery from the 1880's, and was president from the 1920's until his retirement.
In 1896 Alexander Leeper drew up the draft constitution for the Library Association of Australasia and became its new chairman and delivered speeches at its Biennial Conferences.
He "was a lover of books and a firm believer in the educational influence of the Public library", and he suggested that there should be a closer relationship between libraries and educational institutions. He insisted on the need for administrative ability in librarians, and recommended that "Universities should honour librarians more, giving them status as professors."
In 1908 he represented the Diocese of Melbourne at the Pan-Anglican Congress which was held in London, and which was attended by 200 bishops. He was also chairman of the Central Church League, and a lay canon at St. Paul's Cathedral.
He was involved in the production of plays and acted in some of them, and was the director of a play called The Wasps by Aristophanes which was presented by the combined colleges as the jubilee production of the Melbourne University. He also represented the Melbourne Shakespeare Society while in the U.K.
He was president of the Classical Association of Victoria which had 300 members, which made it the largest Classical Association in the British Empire.
He had many famous, wealthy, and influential friends, and for a short time he was a member of the Melbourne Club and was involved with the Navy League.
He traveled widely throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, Norway, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, and he attended meetings of the Australian Institute of International Affairs.
He was also a leader of patriotic causes, especially during World War 1 when he argued against Home Rule for Ireland, in favour of retaining it within the British Empire.
He also contributed to many charities especially the Society to Assist Persons of Education, and he visited Old Colonists Homes and was acquainted with Stanley Greg Smith who was secretary of the Charity Organisation Society, and he distributed their tickets to the needy.

Reference: Doubts and Certainties A Life of Alexander Leeper (1997).