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HENDERSON, M.D., Alexander (1780–1863). AN EXAMINATION OF THE IMPOSTURE OF ANN MOORE, CALLED THE FASTING WOMAN OF TUTBURY. London: Printed by J. Moyes … for Underwood and Blacks, 1813. Marbled boards over paper spine. 52pp., 8vo. Marginal tear to C8 not affecting text, else clean and bright.
Henderson’s work helped dispel the hoax perpetrated by Moore, who claimed she was unable to eat, and that she had consumed no victuals or let any liquid pass her lips for five years. Moore’s reputation and the story of her impossible fasting was so popular it spawned many rumors, including one purporting that Moore could live on nothing but the air she breathed. The fraudulent phenomenon attracted visitors aplenty to her bedside many of whom made financial contributions to her well-being. But Moore’s fraud was eventually exposed by this publication and another examination. Moore had been given food and broth by her daughter in secret, some of it passed into her mouth when the two kissed each other. Ann Moore died in 1813, at the age of 53.