JACOB, SARAH (1857-1869), the fasting girl;
b. 12 May 1857, third daughter of Evan and Hannah Jacob, Llether-neuadd-uchaf, Llanfihangel Iorath, Carms. In Feb. 1867, during an illness, she became unconscious and did not recover for a whole month, whereupon she refused all but a little milk food. By 10 Oct. 1867 it was stated that she had ceased to eat and drink, and it was claimed that she lived thus until 17 Dec. 1869, a total of 113 weeks — when she died. News of her fasting spread far and wide, and soon became a topic of discussion among eminent doctors, while visitors came to Llether-neuadd-uchaf from all parts of England and Wales, and usually presented her with gifts of flowers, books, and money. After much controversy in the press (including The Lancet) a staff of trained nursing-sisters from Guy's Hospital, London, was set to watch the case. A little over a week after their arrival the girl died. Her parents were accused of causing her death by not feeding her, and after trial both were sentenced to terms of imprisonment.
Bibliography:
- W. M. Wilkinson, The Cases of the Welsh Fasting Girl (London, 1870);
- Robert Fowler, M.D., A complete history of the case of the Welsh fasting-girl (London, 1871);
- D. Jones, The Welsh Fasting Girl (Pencader, 1904).
Author:
Dr David Jenkins, C.B.E., M.A., D.Litt., (1912-2002), Penrhyn-coch, Aberystwyth
