THE FIRST DEADLY VICTIM OF ANOREXIA NERVOSA IN HISTORY CALLED BLAESILLA. BLAESILLA, THE FIRST REPORTED CASE OF ANOREXIA.

IN THE FOURTH CENTURY BLAESILLA (A.D. 364-384) WAS PROBABLY THE FIRST RECORDED CASE OF DEATH DUE TO ANOREXIA. WE DO NOT POSSESS ANY WRITINGS OF THE WOMAN HERSELF, EXCEPT A LETTER BY PAULA, THE MOTHER OF BLAESILLA, OF HER VISIT TO THE HOLY LAND (EP. 45).1-2 FASTING AND COMPLETE STARVATION WERE POPULAR AMONG CERTAIN YOUNGER WOMEN OF THE PATRISTIC AGE IN THE FOURTH CENTURY IN THE ROMAN EMPIRE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]