Linda Hazzard

Linda Hazzard (1867 – 1938), also known as the "Starvation Doctor", was an American quack doctor noted for her promotion of fasting as a treatment. She was not a licensed doctor but practiced a form of alternative medicine that she called "fasting for the cure of disease".

Early Life

Linda Hazzard was born in 1867 in Minnesota. Little is known about her early life, but it is believed that she was self-educated in the field of medicine.

Career

Hazzard began her career in the early 20th century, promoting a treatment she called "fasting for the cure of disease". This involved prolonged periods of extreme fasting, which she claimed could cure various ailments. She authored a book on the subject, titled Fasting for the Cure of Disease, which was published in 1908.

In 1911, Hazzard opened a sanitarium in Olalla, Washington, known as Wilderness Heights, where she treated her patients. The treatments often involved prolonged periods of extreme fasting, which led to the death of several patients. Despite this, Hazzard continued to practice her treatments and even gained a following.

Controversies and Legal Issues

Hazzard's practices came under scrutiny after the death of Claire Williamson, a British national who had sought treatment at Wilderness Heights. Hazzard was charged with manslaughter and was convicted in 1912. She served two years in prison before being released.

After her release, Hazzard moved to New Zealand where she continued to promote her fasting treatments. She returned to Olalla in the 1920s and continued to practice until her death in 1938.

Death

Linda Hazzard died of malnutrition in 1938, ironically succumbing to a condition similar to those she had inflicted on her patients.

Legacy

Linda Hazzard's story has been the subject of several books and documentaries, highlighting the dangers of quackery and the importance of proper medical licensing.

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