In England, this woman introduced rabbits into her vagina and claimed to have given birth to them

Faced with such a mystery, John Howard sent letters to many doctors and scientists in the country but also to the king’s secretary to inform them of this incredible news. The effervescence around the young “mum” was not long in coming and soon, the greatest scientists in England were rushing to examine her. Intrigued by this affair, the king sent Nathaniel Saint André, his personal anatomist surgeon, as well as Samuel Molyneux, the secretary of the Prince of Wales to shed light on this story. In the meantime, the young woman had become a real local celebrity.

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For Saint André, this is a case of “maternal impression”, a theory popular in the 18th century which asserts that a woman’s experiences during her pregnancy imprint future children. This theory would explain certain cases of malformation. Nevertheless, the scientific community remains divided on the issue. Analyzes of the organs of the rabbits will reveal that it is unlikely that they developed inside Mary’s womb.

The German surgeon Cyriacus Ahlers finally found corn and hay in the gastric apparatus of one of the rabbits, which ends up removing the doubt on the origin of these rabbits. A young boy will also be surprised as he tried to sneak a dead baby rabbit into the grounds of London’s public baths where Mary was under medical observation.

Mary Toft finally confessed her lie and explained that she introduced the rabbit limbs into her vagina herself. In December 1726, Mary will be prosecuted for “fraud and deceit” and will be sent to Bridewell prison where she will be exhibited there as a fairground freak.

Following this scandal, the scientific community will be the object of much mockery in the press.