Archival exploration of anorexia nervosa.

This study explores the use of hospital archives to establish a wider view of the history of anorexia nervosa and similar symptomatic presentations in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The research incorporates a detailed investigation of admission registers and case records relating to over 36 000 admissions to two general infirmaries and four asylums. In addition, an extensive search has been made of printed medical sources for this period. The study clarifies both the range and limitations of information derived from hospital records and gives perspective to the accepted nineteenth century accounts of anorexia nervosa.