From Fasting Saints to Anorexic Girls: The History of Self-Starvation
Dutch psychologists Vandereycken and Van Deth survey the historical, literary, medical, and social interpretations of self-induced starvation. These range from signs of sanctity or demonic possession in ancient times to religious wonder, curiosity, and medical mystery. Anorexia nervosa is seen as a recent manifestation arising from changes in Western society at the end of the 19th century. While acknowledging anorexia as a primarily female phenomenon, the authors touch on other forms of self-starvation common to both sexes including hunger strikes and fasting as therapy. While this topic is of popular interest, and many self-help titles exist, this work concentrating on the historical aspects of self starvation will primarily interest scholars and informed lay readers. (Index not seen.)-Lucille Boone, San Jose, P.L., Cal.Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.