Buzz
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT. I recently purchased a fascinating book about one of my dream destinations (though I haven’t visited yet): The Mütter Museum. This museum houses a collection of medical oddities and historical photographs. The book features some astonishing yet unsettling images from the museum. I’ve chosen 10 of the most intriguing ones to share with you today. If you enjoy this list, I highly recommend purchasing the book—it contains over 200 similarly captivating images. Click on the images to enlarge them.
10. Chinese Aristocratic Fingernails
In Chinese aristocracy, long fingernails were a symbol of high social status. Much like foot binding, this practice likely indicated that these individuals did not need to use their hands for manual labor.
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9. The Giant
This skeleton belongs to John Aasen (1890-1938), who worked in the circus as a sideshow performer. Standing at 7’1/2″ (214cm) tall, John’s extraordinary height also landed him roles in Hollywood films.
8. Survivor of Triple Amputation
The man in this photograph, aged thirty-two, suffered a tragic accident when a railroad car carrying construction materials crushed his legs and one arm. As a result, all three limbs had to be amputated. His case marked the second successful triple amputation in U.S. history.
7. Widow Sunday
This wax model depicts Madame Dimanche (Widow Sunday), who grew a 9.8-inch horn on her head over six years. The horn was successfully removed by a renowned French surgeon.
6. Congenital Foot Deformity
The foot deformity shown above is caused by a congenital defect. Such deformities can also affect the hands. Historically, these conditions were often mistakenly attributed to “germs or sperm.”
5. Blanche Dumas
Regular readers may recall Blanche Dumas, who was mentioned in the list of Bizarre Relationships for her involvement with Juan Baptista Dos Santos, a man with three legs and two penises. Blanche herself had three legs, two vaginas, and four breasts. This is the first time we’ve shared a rear-view photograph of Blanche.
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4. Gigantomastia
This woman endured the rare condition of bilateral breast hypertrophy. Remarkably, she survived a surgical procedure to remove both breasts. Post-surgery, the left breast weighed seventeen pounds, while the right breast weighed forty-three pounds.
3. Cyclopia
Cyclopia is an extremely rare congenital disorder where the eye sockets fail to separate, resulting in a single central eye. Most infants with this condition are stillborn, and those who survive typically live only for a few hours.
2. Neurofibromatosis
This individual was afflicted with Von Recklinghausen’s Disease, commonly referred to as neurofibromatosis. This genetic condition causes tumors to develop along the nerves. If one parent has the disease, there is a 50% chance it will be passed on to their child.
1. Elephantiasis
The man pictured above, who suffered from elephantiasis, was so overwhelmed by his condition that he pleaded for amputation. Doctors opted for an experimental surgery, which successfully removed a significant portion of the excess tissue. Tragically, he passed away five months later.
