Mary Toft: The Woman Who Gave Birth to Rabbits

In the small town of Godalming, Surrey, Mary Toft, an illiterate servant woman, began to attract attention far beyond her humble status. The story began when Toft, reportedly suffering complications during her pregnancy, claimed to have delivered parts of rabbits. Local doctor John Howard was called to investigate and, astonishingly, over the next month, Toft supposedly gave birth to several more rabbit parts. Howard, genuinely convinced, sent letters to prominent medical men in England, includi