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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Letters, 'Of a fasting woman' from Alexander MacKenzie to John Pringle

Reference number: L&P/6/209

Date: 05 June 1776

Description

Account of Janet MacLeod, 33, who stopped eating and drinking after a series of epileptic seizures left her bed ridden, with lock-jaw and no appetite. She survived this way under the care of her parents for four years before recovering somewhat.

Subject: Medicine

Published in Philosophical Transactions, as 'An account of a woman in the shire of Ross living without food or drink'

Read 7 November 1776

Reference number
L&P/6/209
Earliest possible date
05 June 1776
Physical description
Ink on paper
Page extent
8 pages
Format
Manuscript

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Citation

Letters, 'Of a fasting woman' from Alexander MacKenzie to John Pringle, 05 June 1776, L&P/6/209, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/l-and-p_6_209/letters-of-a-fasting-woman-from-alexander-mackenzie-to-john-pringle, accessed on 09 October 2024

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https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/l-and-p_6_209/letters-of-a-fasting-woman-from-alexander-mackenzie-to-john-pringle

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  • Letters and Papers

    Dates: 1741-1806

    'Letters and Papers' contains the scientific correspondence sent to the Royal Society through the 18th century, many of which were published in its journal.

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