A complete history of the case of the Welsh fasting-girl (Sarah Jacob) with comments thereon; and observations on death from starvation.

  • Fowler, Robert.
Date:
1871
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A complete history of the case of the Welsh fasting-girl (Sarah Jacob) with comments thereon; and observations on death from starvation. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    The Parents accejot Money and Presents to receive any sum, however small, and from whatever quarter, j^artly hecause they have no special need for it, and partly to relieve them from the natural suspicion which the puhlic will always entertain as long- as they allow their daughter to be a means of making money. Notwithstanding- the eloquent appeal of Hannah Jacob's Counsel, who descanted on the awful considera- tion thatthis very woman .... should he charged with trafficking for a few shillings in the blood of her child, there is abundant evidence of the whole affair having at one time been far from unremunerative.' In his statement before the Coroner the father ad- mitted :— Many persons left a shilUng or sixpence behind them after visiting deceased. Others were more liberal. Florins, half-crowns, and crown-pieces were sometimes given by individual visitors. Dr. Thomas Jones, late of New Quay, Cardiganshire (Observator), states in a letter dated January, 1870, that it was currently reported that, about April, 1869, two English lady visitors left tlieir offerings of two pounds in gold. After the donation of the money the parents were generally more gracious to their visitors, sanctioning examinations and questionings of the girl not previously permitted. The Rev. Wm. Thomas''^ states that on the occasion of his first visit, after the passage of three shillings:—The effect was quite magical on the father j he changed all at once, breaking into smiles, and saying that we might feel little Sarah's hands, arms, and face.'*^ This effect of palm-oil is also attested by Dr, Thomas Jones, who, in Ma,y, 1869., correctly prophesies:— The time will come .... when this miracle will be a shame and a stench in the whole countr^^ One of these days Lletherneuadd will have become a word synonymous with disgrace. On April 28, 1869, Evan Jacob, the father, charged Dr. Pearson Hughes, of Llandovery, with assaulting the Welsh Fasting-Girl. In her examination the mother, Hannah Jacob, stated :— Scores of doctors and otlicrs have been to see the cliild ; we never invited the puhlic to come. I let ever)'hody, who comes to, see Ler.