TERATOLOGY

Teratology, the study of and fascination over people with unique physical conditions, was extremely influential over political, religious, and cultural, and other societal attitudes within 19th century America. The Mutter exhibit provides a detailed background of how the field of Teratology itself was developed, while also providing detail that represents how this field of study influenced American cultural phenomena such as “Freak Shows,” which actively encouraged the dehumanization and inappropriate bodily exposure of people who were selected to be the “stars” of such shows. 

 

One of the most famous examples of this was in the experience of Chang and Eng Bunker, famous twins who were physically conjoined at the hip. The two of them were sold into slavery by their own mother as children, and they were exploited for financial gain in American Freak shows by a Scottish businessman named Robert Hunter. Ultimately, even after becoming freed, the twins became accustomed to financially supporting themselves through these shows. 

 

Another famous example was that of the McCoy twins, who were enslaved African American women that were examined frequently by physicians who treated them as medical curiosities. The McCoys were taken in shows that traveled in 46 U.S states.  They also built a 10 room house in the original slave owner McCoy's property in Whiteville, North Carolina, which became their permanent home outside shows. Furthermore, they were exploited in both shows, as well as in photos and flyers that displayed inappropriate levels of bodily exposure.

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References

 

Atwal, S. (2022, December 22). The dark history of the original Siamese twins, Chang 

            and Eng Bunker. Guinness World Records. Retrieved from 

            https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2022/12/the-dark-history-of-the-orig

            inal-siamese-twins-chang-and-eng-bunker-730957 

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Macife, J. (1991). McCoy, Millie-Christine [McKoy]. NCpedia. Retrieved from 

            https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/mccoy-millie-christine 

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The Mütter Museum of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. (2017, February 

            28). Imperfecta. MÜTTER MUSEUM. Retrieved from 

            https://muttermuseum.org/exhibitions/imperfecta