A Historical Study of Force Feeding

Force feeding is the practice of feeding a human or animal against their will. In humans, it has been practiced mostly on prisoners and patients who refuse to eat. It can involve the supply of a nutritional substance through a small plastic feeding tube inserted into the stomach through the nose or mouth. Once the subject is pacified, liquid food is poured into the top of the tube, and it descends into the stomach and digestion is continued. Force feeding can also be done using a nasal tube. Unlike artificial feeding, force feeding is done against the will of the subjects who have decided not to eat. It has been contended as being dangerous, unethical and unpleasant. It outlines the history of force feeding in detail. This book, with its detailed analyses and data, will prove immensely beneficial to professionals and students involved in this area at various levels.