Buzz
The Breatharian movement has recently gained attention, primarily due to this Seattle woman and this Sri Lankan man. Followers of this movement assert that humans can survive without food or water, relying solely on 'photons, light, vibrations, and wind,' as explained by Breatharian Kirby de Lanerolle.
Although this trend has recently surged, individuals claiming to live without food are not a modern concept. The Victorian Fasting Girls, young women who allegedly abstained from eating for months or even years, became a notable phenomenon from the mid-19th to early 20th centuries. Below are some of their intriguing stories.
1. Therese Neumann
In 1918, at the age of 20, Therese Neumann (pictured above) experienced a severe shock after falling from a stool while attempting to extinguish a fire at her uncle’s farm. This accident, which caused a spinal injury, appeared to trigger a series of health issues, including paralysis, digestive troubles, and even blindness. By 1926, a 'blood-colored serum' began seeping from her eyes, and she developed stigmata during Lent. In 1927, Therese claimed to have been visited by St. Therese of Lisieux, who informed her that she no longer needed food or water—only Holy Communion. For two weeks in July 1927, she was closely monitored by doctors and nurses, who even measured her mouthwash to ensure she didn’t ingest any. By the end of the observation, the medical team confirmed she had not consumed any food. Surprisingly, despite initial weight loss, she gained five to six pounds by the conclusion of the study. The attending physician swore under oath that she had consumed nothing except a single consecrated Host daily during the observation period.
Therese reportedly maintained this sacred 'diet' until her passing in 1962.
2. Mollie Fancher
The Brooklyn Daily Eagle
At just 18 years old, Mollie Fancher from Brooklyn suffered a tragic carriage accident that left her paralyzed. As she stepped out of the carriage, her long skirt became entangled in a hook, and the driver, unaware, dragged her for almost a block before bystanders intervened. Months after the accident, Fancher retreated to her bed and reportedly abstained from eating for the next 16 years.
Witnesses insisted they never observed her eating or drinking, and at one stage, her stomach had 'collapsed to the point where her spinal column could be felt by placing a hand in the cavity.' Despite losing her vision, she continued crafting intricate embroidery and detailed wax flowers. Additionally, Fancher claimed to possess clairvoyant abilities. Debates raged among doctors and spiritualists over whether 'the Brooklyn Enigma' was a divine marvel or a hoax, but eventually, the controversy faded. By the late 1880s or early 1890s, she resumed eating in public. Most of her other symptoms vanished, and she led a relatively ordinary life until her death in 1916, unrelated to starvation.
3. Sarah Jacob
Welsh Legal History
In Wales, far from Mollie, lived Sarah Jacob, known as 'the Welsh fasting girl.' After experiencing convulsions in 1866, Sarah began consuming tiny portions of food and spent her days bedridden, composing poetry. Her parents asserted that she ceased eating entirely on October 10, 1867. News of her condition spread rapidly, turning Sarah into a sensation. Newspapers covered her story, and people journeyed from afar to see this alleged wonder. Observers remarked on her vibrant health—clear eyes, rosy cheeks, and even weight gain.
While some believed Sarah’s condition was miraculous, others suspected her parents were complicit, secretly feeding her when no one was watching. Some theorized her sister passed her food during kisses, like a mother bird. Eventually, doctors requested to monitor Sarah continuously. Whether the Jacobs genuinely believed their daughter survived on air or were unwilling to admit the truth, they consented. Six nurses were assigned to watch her day and night, instructed to offer food only if requested. Sarah never asked for food and, after four or five days, fell unconscious. She died of starvation on December 12, 1869. An autopsy revealed small bird or fish bones in her stomach, proving she had eaten secretly. Her parents were convicted of manslaughter and imprisoned.
4. Josephine Marie Bedard
Known as the Tingwick Girl, Josephine Marie Bedard exemplifies the public’s fascination with individuals who appeared to survive without consuming any form of sustenance. At 19, Bedard declared she had gone months without eating, prompting two Boston museums to propose displaying her for public observation—charging fifty cents for the privilege, akin to a lackluster circus attraction. However, in 1889, a local physician alleged discovering a partially eaten doughnut in Bedard’s pocket. The doctor also claimed to have left a plate with 'three pieces of fried potato' in the room, only to find one missing upon returning. Though no concrete evidence was provided, the accusations swiftly tarnished Bedard’s reputation.
