The Mary Toft Case

By Crusader1307

 Mary Toft. Perhaps an unassuming and meaningless name to most. But in 18th Century Surrey, England – this girl fooled learned Doctors to such a degree that Her extraordinary tale was even investigated by King George I. This was perhaps Mary's undoing. But that is for later. Mary's tale goes as such. Mary was a Peasant Girl, born in 1701. A Field Worker at 24, at some point – Mary became pregnant. But early in Her birthing, she miscarried. This is were it started. Mary had a Mid-Wife who delivered what appeared to be ''animal parts'' from Mary. The animal pieces were identified (at first as rabbits). How could a human woman give birth (as it were) – to a rabbit

The news of the strange ''birth'' reached a Local Doctor who came to surrey to investigate. Mary had indeed become pregnant and given birth to ''something''. Later in the year, Mary was pregnant again. The Doctor was called, but when He arrived, Mary had again miscarried. Examining the more fresh afterbirth, the Doctor was quite convinced that Mary did in fact (as before) given birth to a series of Rabbits. Naturally, the news of such a miracle spread thru the English Medical Community. Mary became somewhat famous. Again, in the late 1720s, Mary was pregnant again. This time it appeared She would go to full term. Doctors were standing by for the miracle. But Mary grew very ill this time. Her Mid-Wife could not control the bleeding. This brought in King George Ist personal Physician. The King too had taken interest in Mary.

Mary miscarried yet again. This time The Doctor noticed that Mary was suffering from a severe infection. The pieces of ''animal'' looked more cat-like. The Doctor then examined Mary's ''lower extremities''. He saw Mary for the fraud She was. Apparently, Mary was convinced that She could become famous and generate monies (easier that working in fields), by ''widening Her internal feminine structures'' and placing animal parts inside. She would then ''give birth'' to the horrid and rather vile ''miscarriage''. After so many attempts, Mary had developed a form of Sepsis. She should have died. She probably wished she was. The King was furious with all the past Doctors who were fooled by the obvious charade. Most people, who respected The Medical Arts, now looked at Doctors as jokes. It would take many years before their reputation would recover. As for Mary, She was deemed a ''Fraud'' and imprisoned for life. This was commuted and She would live out Her life to the age of 62 – ridiculed and reviled no matter were She went.