Feigned and factitious diseases in the British Forces c.1830-1840: a forgotton medical classic.
Soldiers and seamen were remarkably inventive in their methods of feigning disease; I know of few cases where soldiers today have gone to such determined efforts to simulate a disease. All of us have encountered malingerers in the course of our work but the extent and array to which they extend in their attempts is greatly surpassed by the tales of effort and guile reported by Gavin. Fit, content men have always been at the centre of the military capability and in the forces of the present day the driving concerns to discharge oneself from the army or navy are no longer quite as pressing. However, medical officers should always be alert to the art of feigning. I will leave the last word to Hector Gavin: "As long as soldiers have the idea that they can impose upon officers, and that the result will be for their advantage, so long will examples of imposition occur in the army. "
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SHO Trauma and Orthopaedics, MDHU Derriford, Derriford Road, Plymouth, PL6 8DH. aylesya@aol.com
D005162:Factitious Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000266:history*; D049672:History, 19th Century; D006801:Humans; D008306:Malingering / Q000145:classification / Q000266:history*; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000266:history*; D006113:United Kingdom