The Woman Who Convinced Doctors She Gave Birth to Rabbits (Mary Toft)

What if I told you that in 1726, the most respected doctors in England, including the King's own surgeon, were convinced a woman was giving birth to rabbits? This isn't a fairy tale; it's the unbelievable true story of Mary Toft, and it's one of history's most bizarre cases of Mass Hysteria.In this episode, we're dissecting the strange and contagious nature of belief. We'll explore the phenomenon of Mass Psychogenic Illness, where symptoms with no biological cause can spread like wildfire through a population, fueled by stress and misinformation. The story of Mary Toft is a masterclass in the illusion of expertise, revealing how easily even the most brilliant minds can be fooled when a story is shocking enough.This isn't just a weird relic of the past; it's a critical lesson for our modern world. How does a medical hoax from the 18th century explain our vulnerability to viral lies today?Stick with us to the very end to learn about the one simple, physical 'proof' Mary Toft presented that convinced even the most skeptical doctors and sealed her fame.This is a wild ride through history, psychology, and the importance of critical thinking. Subscribe, share this unbelievable true story, and join the conversation about why we believe the things we do.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/hoax-hunters--6723538/support.You May also Like:🚑MyDisasterPrepKit.comCreate Your Perfect Disaster Preparedness Kit🤖Nudgrr.com (🗣'nudger") - Your AI Sidekick for Getting Sh*t DoneNudgrr breaks down your biggest goals into tiny, doable steps — then nudges you to actually do them. 🎁ThePerfectGift.appFind the Perfect Gift in Seconds⭐SkyNearMe.comLive map of stars & planets visible near you✔DebtPlanner.appYour Path to Debt-Free Living