63 – Midwife Man – Mary Toft

About the Episode

People used to do some crazy things for clout. And this might be the craziest thing we’ve ever heard of.

This week, Sierra tells the story of Mary Toft, a woman who went to the extreme to become famous, while Colin slowly realizes that this whole thing is nasty. Join us as we discuss the correct spelling of psoriasis, old-timey science experiments, and the miracle of childbirth.

Subjects Covered

Mary Toft • medical hoax • rabbit babies • 1700's • miracle of childbirth • midwife • man midwife • OB/GYN • Nicole (Roommate) • King George I • Nathaniel St. André • Mary Denyer • Journeyman • Egested / Egestion • John Howard • Henry Davenant • John Howard • Obstetrician • John Maubray • Thomas Onslow • Gordon Fucking Ramsay • Christopher Columbus • Queen Elizabeth II •

Sources

• The Paris Review - The Extraordinary Delivery of Rabbits
• Wikipedia - Mary Toft
• Etsy - Get a Mary Toft Childbirth Painting