Exploitation of Deformed Humans...Shocking!

Two centuries ago medicine wasn't so developed and many misshapen people were born, who mainly were treated like freaks. Although those deformed people were just ordinary people who were trying to live their lives despite the difficulties, most of them had to earn their living at circuses where their appearance attracts people's curiosity.

Diseased and deformed humans were exploited as sideshow ‘freaks’ for decades. These displays were a major attraction of many leading circuses and shows for over a century. As science improved and led to many of the 'freaks' physical differences being explained as genetic mutation or disease, the sideshow fell into decline as the individuals were treated with compassion and sympathy instead of fear and disgust.

Here are some photos and examples of those individuals...some of them are really shocking!


1.) Ella Harper, also known as "The Camel Girl." She got the name because she preferred to walk on all fours.

Ella was born with a strange and rare orthopedic condition that caused her legs to bend backwards.

During her life she worked as a circus performer, earning an impressive $200 a week. She lived from 1870 to 1921.

2.) Fannie Mills, also known as "The Ohio Big Foot Girl."

Fannie had a condition known as Milroy Disease, which caused her feet to grow to an abnormally large size. At their biggest, her feet were 17 inches long.

3.) Maurice Tillet, also known as "The French Angel."

Maurice was a two time heavy weight champion in the early 1900's and a movie star during the 1940's.

As a teenager, he was diagnosed with acromegaly, which causes bones to overgrow and thicken. I certainly wouldn't want to face him in the ring.

4.) Frank Lentini, also known as "The Great Lentini."

Frank had a fully functional third leg that was the result of a partially absorbed conjoined twin. He spent his life in the United States performing on the circus show circuit. He even had a wife and several children.

5.) Jean Libbera, also known as "The Double-Bodied Man."

Jean was unique in that he had a parasitic twin attached to his chest area. X-rays revealed that a small head with a circumference of six inches was embedded inside Jean's body. He even named the twin Jacques.
That may seem too far away...however people with deformities are still born. Thanks to medicine's development though, most of them can be prevented or cured. I am not sure what kind of life they were able to live...however the only feeling that I have is compassion...

Source: Viralnova

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