Abstract: In this book of amazing oddities, Jan explores unexpected, gruesome, and bizarre aspects of the history of medicine. He regales us with stories of spontaneous human combustion; vicious tribes of tailed men; the Two-Headed Boy of Bengal; Mary Toft, who allegedly gave birth to seventeen rabbits; and Julia Pastrana, exhibited around the world as the Ape Woman. combines an historian's skill in showing us our timeless fascination with the grotesque with a physician's diagnostic abilities, as he examines the evidence and provides likely explanations for these peculiar events. Fascinating...Well-researched and extensively illustrated with items from [Bondeson's] personal collection, it covers a wide range of medical monstrosities, and there is something for everyone. - The Lancet Entertaining in the simultaneously creepy and amusing way of a carnival sideshow...Bondeson is quick to acknowledge absurdity, and his wry humor, along with his strong personal judgments, spice up the book. - Publishers Weekly Bondeson ...regards his exhibits with a careful scientist's eye, discovering misinterpreted evidence, tragic genetic mutations, and, occasionally, outright fraud. - Library Journal
Publication Year: 1997
Publication Date: 1997-01-01
Language: en
Type: book
Indexed In: ['crossref']
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 55
AI Researcher Chatbot
Get quick answers to your questions about the article from our AI researcher chatbot