The Royal Society: fasting in the early 18th century – psychiatry in history

• Published in: British journal of psychiatry Vol. 214; no. 3; p. 132
• Main Author: Wilkinson, Greg
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.03.2019
• Subjects: 18th century; Anorexia; Childhood; Children; Curiosity; Dreams; Eating disorders; Extras; Fasting; Fear & phobias; God; Mothers; Neighborhoods; Psychiatry; Sadness; Sleep
• ISSN: 0007-1250; 1472-1465
• DOI: 10.1192/bjp.2018.230

[...]over 300 years later: ‘We don't know exactly what causes anorexia and other eating disorders’.2 Ile’ aſſure You my Curiosity never led me to viſit the Woman by Llangollen; but on my Journey paſsing by the door I made bold to call; and twas my Fortune to come in as ſhe was just expiring, ſo that I saw her not alive; but I discoursd with her Parents both then, and in my return; and with divers others in the Neighborhood. For the Woman of Llangollen's Character, I find it agreed upon in Generall, that she was grave, sober, and Religious, but not without a deep tincture of melancholy, being from her Childhood (by the Confeſsion of her Parents) Subject to disquieting thoughts, and frightfull Dreams. What ever Opinion others may have of that young Woman (near 30 years of age) I fear She had a high One of her self, & so had all about her; and lookd upon those raptures ſhe had as Divine favours: wch made her tell her Mother somewhat before ſhe fell into her last fit – That ſhe had reveald unto her things beyond Humane Comprehenſion; that ſhe would ſay Little to her any more; that ſhe was going to Christ her Husband, that the Comforter would come to them, if they ſervd God; and read to her Our Saviour's Valedictory Discours to his Disciples out of St John.