To the Editor: The tale told by Katherine Haley’s father about his clever advice on how to protect the privacy of a young pregnant woman makes a good story.1 However, while “non” is a Latin word, “pseudocyesis” is very good Ancient Greek (ψευδοκύησις). Queen Mary I (“Bloody Mary”), who was believed for many months to be with child but ultimately returned to court childless, may have suffered from pseudocyesis.
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- Rockhampton Hospital, Rockhampton, QLD.
Correspondence: rogerallen@internode.on.net
- 1. Haley KA. Patient privacy and Latin: my father’s story [letter]. Med J Aust 2007; 186: 328. <MJA full text>
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