Comments on: Were they right to worry about Jane Fairfax’s health?

By: jfwakefield

jfwakefield — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 10:58:42 +0000

How lovely to see you here ,Mary. I’m slowly building up some Austen -inspired medical posts here Its something Ive wanted to do for a long time,so it is great to have the opportunity to do it here.

Consumption equates roughly to tuberculosis. It was called consumption because the disease appeared to consume the patient from within. Jane Austen however did not suffer from consumption: her fatal disease was most probably a form of Addison’s disease which appears to have confounded her medical attendants.

I agree about Frank.Im not sure he would be the most understanding of men:he is rather too selfish for that IMHO.But perhaps nearly losing Jane to the school rooms of Bristol finally jolted him in to realising Jane Fairfax was a prize. Of course she lived for only 9 years after her marriage, so I presume JAne Austen planned in her scheme of things that Jane Fairfax was indeed showing early symptoms of consumption ( as Ive related here) and would not live long but would gradually decline in health after her marriage. .

By: MaryAnn King

MaryAnn King — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 19:54:53 +0000

Julie, so fascinating your info here! Thank you for such an in depth explanation. As a person in the medical field I am fascinated by the practices of times gone by and how they compare to today. I have always been confused by what exactly ‘consumption’ entailed. Seems to be a general idea of malaise and decreased immunity, and a tendency to illness or depression. Is that about right? A very vague sort of diagnosis? I imagine Jane Austen herself felt a great deal of difficulty with consumption, esp towards the end of her life, bless her heart.

Your explanation of Jane Fairfax’s ailments and the response of Mr. Knightly certainly causes my heart to swell towards him, and get a bit frustrated towards Frank. Frank’s insensitivity towards his sick Aunt makes me wonder how well he would care for a wife with an poor constitution?

By: Austenprose Sanditon Group Read: “A Match for Every Disorder”: Sea-Bathing in the early 19th century « austenonly

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 13:37:46 +0000

[...] whose sensible advice on consumptive patients seems to accord with Jane Austen’s view of the disease as possibly …, is helpful in giving us an insight into the mind of 18th century medical men. Remember that this [...]

By: Emma’s Gift of Arrow-root « austenonly

Emma’s Gift of Arrow-root « austenonly — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:57:58 +0000

[...] Buchan( whom we met in out post, Were they right to worry about Jane Fairfax’s Health, below) in his book Domestic Medicine recommended supplying jellies for sufferers of possible [...]

By: myenglishcountrygarden

myenglishcountrygarden — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:59:30 +0000

Ah, but she did not posess that open temper which a man would wish for in a wife .He was very perceptive and pragmatic, that Mr Knighltye.I don’t think he would sacrifice his happiness by compromising his choice in marriage partner,even if it meant making life easier for JF

By: Rae

Rae — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:13:57 +0000

Thank you Julie, fascinating. I think if I were Mr Knightley, I would have been seriously thinking about marrying Jane to save her from the life of a governess and its effects on her health.

By: myenglishcountrygarden

myenglishcountrygarden — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:21:29 +0000

I agree Karen- if you dismiss Miss Bates as Emma dose, you will miss a lot of very interesting information. She knows all. And that really would not be unlikely for the daughter of the once incumbent of the town, living in the midst of everyone. As a teenager reading it, I confess I did gloss over her speeches. But reading it as an older woman I discovered a very different Highbury and my admiration for Miss Bates grows on each reading

By: myenglishcountrygarden

myenglishcountrygarden — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:18:28 +0000

Miss Bates- a very interesting character.A wonderful portrait of a woman under intense pressure- financial societal and familial- who manages to keep cheerful above all.

By: myenglishcountrygarden

myenglishcountrygarden — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:15:50 +0000

Im so glad Farah: I know its your favourite novel. I love it for the intimate view it give us of life in that emerging society.

By: myenglishcountrygarden

myenglishcountrygarden — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:14:52 +0000

I agree Nancy- the regimen prescribed by Buchanan seems rather enlightened: In particular the advice regarding keeping the patient cheerful. Its very interesting to join the dots in this way,isn’t it?