Fasting Girls: Their Physiology and Pathology

This work investigates the longstanding fascination with “fasting girls”—young women who allegedly survived for years without food. Drawing on medieval anecdotes and later testimonies, the author traces how such claims have been bolstered by clergy, scholars, and curious physicians. By examining the physiological demands of nutrition, the text reveals why the idea clashes with basic biology. The narrative also places these stories within the broader context of hysteria and popular superstition.

Written by a 19th‑century neurologist, the book combines clinical insight with clear explanations aimed at both medical professionals and educated lay readers. It dissects the pathological mechanisms that can mimic prolonged abstinence, while highlighting the social forces that perpetuate belief in miracles. Readers will come away with a balanced view of how myth, faith, and science intersect in the history of food deprivation.