A Bizarre Claim
In 1726, Mary Toft, a peasant woman from Surrey, England, claimed she was giving birth to rabbits. The story began when she reportedly went into labor and local surgeon John Howard was summoned to assist. To his astonishment, Howard claimed to have delivered several pieces of animal flesh from Toft.
The Surgeons Arrive
Intrigued, Howard notified other physicians, including Nathaniel St. André, surgeon to King George I. They traveled to Guildford to witness this extraordinary phenomenon. St. André, after observing Toft’s supposed labor, confirmed her claim and brought her to London for further examination.
The Hoax Exposed
Under intense scrutiny and with increasing skepticism from the medical community, Toft eventually confessed to the hoax. She had inserted dead rabbits into her body to simulate giving birth to them. The confession caused a scandal, and she was imprisoned for fraud.
A Sensational Scandal
The incident became a sensation, damaging the reputations of several prominent physicians and highlighting the gullibility of the medical community. Toft was released from prison a few months later but lived in infamy for the rest of her life.
The Woman Who “Gave Birth” to Rabbits 🐇
A Bizarre Claim
In 1726, Mary Toft, a peasant woman from Surrey, England, claimed she was giving birth to rabbits. The story began when she reportedly went into labor and local surgeon John Howard was summoned to assist. To his… pic.twitter.com/uvIJMDUB4I— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) September 27, 2024