In 1888 a sixteen-year-old Bristol schoolgirl died from anorexia
nervosa, the first known reported death from the modern disorder
Up to ten months prior to her death, Miss K.R.had been a plump,
healthy-looking girl who was eager to attract the notice of her
friends. For no apparent cause, she stopped eating. She was admitted
to the Cottage Hospital where she was fed pulverized food every
four hours. She resorted to every conceivable trick to avoid
swallowing it. Her physician advised, without success, that her
family, particularly her mother, be kept away. Miss K.R. died
weighing forty-nine pounds.
Adapted fromFasting Girlsby Joan Jacobs Brumberg.
|
