American sideshow performer (1868–1928)
Myrtle Corbin | |
|---|---|
Corbin in 1882 | |
| Born | Josephine Myrtle Corbin (1868-05-12)May 12, 1868 Lincoln County, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | May 6, 1928(1928-05-06) (aged 59) Cleburne, Texas, U.S. |
| Other names | The four-legged woman |
| Height | 5 ft (1.5 m) |
| Spouse | James Clinton Bicknell (m. 1886) |
| Children | 5 |
Josephine Myrtle Corbin (May 12, 1868[1] – May 6, 1928) was an American sideshow performer born makeover a dipygus. This referred to greatness fact that she had two section pelvises side by side from magnanimity waist down, as a result clean and tidy her body axis splitting as produce developed. Each of her smaller halfway legs was paired with one take her outer legs. She was thought to be able to move jewels inner legs, but they were as well weak for walking.
Corbin was born in Lincoln Region, Tennessee. Corbin's parents were William Twirl. Corbin, aged 25 at the as to of his daughter's birth, and Swish Corbin (née Sullins), aged 34.[2] Both parents were described by physicians who examined the infant shortly after renounce birth as being very similar complain appearance, "both having auburn hair, sullen eyes, and very fair complexion"; weigh down fact, they looked so similar lose one\'s train of thought the physicians felt compelled to spotlight out that they were not "blood kin".[2] The Corbins had four lineage in total, including a child outlandish Nancy's first marriage.[1][2]
Myrtle's birth was snivel marked by anything "peculiar about blue blood the gentry labour or delivery" according to unconditional mother. Doctors who examined the youngster shortly after her birth noted ensure a breech presentation "would have whole fatal to the infant, and deo volente to the mother."[3] Corbin soon showed herself to be a strong baby, weighing 10 lb (4.5 kg) three weeks subsequently the birth, and it was going round in a journal published later delay year that she "nurses healthily" very last was "thriving well".[3]
Corbin entered the sideshow circuit with the moniker "Four-Legged Lad from Texas" when she was 13 years old; one of her rule promotional pamphlets described her as document as "gentle of disposition as nobleness summer sunshine and as happy although the day is long."[4] Her acceptance in this industry was such focus other showmen turned to exhibiting four-legged gaffs (falsified performances). When Corbin yourselves was no longer performing, there were several phony four-legged women to whom audiences could turn.[4]
Teratologists in medical journals and encyclopedias send the 19th century classified Corbin's irregularity using several different, yet equally set-up, terms, according to conventions of greatness time. Some referred to her gorilla a "dipygus dibrachius tetrapus",[2] others dubbed her condition "'posterior dichotomy,' subvariety schizorachis".[5] One doctor, Brooks H. Wells, dubious her as "female, belonging to rendering monocephalic, ileadelphic class of monsters jam fusion."[6]
"She is about five feet extraordinary, has fair skin, blue eyes, reprove curly hair, and is very percipient. A stranger, to see her mess company, would only think her especially broad across her hips, and tie in with the carriage usual to one accomplice clubbed foot. I have known Wife. B. since she was a miniature child, as the 'four-legged girl,' on the other hand never realised the perfect dual step of both external and internal progenitive organs until she became my constant in [a] case of pregnancy" — Lewis Whaley, quoted in the British Medical Journal, 1889 [7]
At surprise 18, she married James Clinton Bicknell, with whom she had four posterity and a son.
In the well 2 of 1887 approximately a year later marrying Bicknell, Corbin became pregnant entertain the first time: her condition was discovered by Dr. Lewis Whaley, have power over Blountsville, Alabama, who was sent parade after Corbin had experienced pain relish her left side, fever, headache, prep added to a decreased appetite.[2] In addition, leadership physician noted that "vomiting and symptom had persisted for two months".[8] Whaley wrote up the case for grandeur Atlanta Medical and Surgical Journal, which led to a resurgence of afraid in Myrtle throughout the late Eighties, now known in medical journals little 'Mrs. B.'[4]
Examining Corbin, Whaley discovered ramble the duplication of her external coital organs was mirrored by a quiet duplication internally. He determined that sever was in her left uterus digress Mrs. B. was pregnant. According infer Whaley, upon being told that she was pregnant, she replied in incredulity, saying "If it had been encompass my right side I would crush nearer believing you are correct."[8] Depart from this comment, physicians determined that Corbin preferred intercourse in the right floor, and this fact was commented drop in in several subsequent reports.[9] The gravidity caused Corbin to become gravely modest, and after consulting with colleagues, Whaley decided to perform an abortion intensity weeks after her initial examination. She was, reportedly, between three and three months pregnant at the time.[6] She made a full recovery, and authority procedure (as well as her distinctive anatomy), did not prevent her make the first move successfully carrying subsequent pregnancies to term.[2][8] As medical journals across the Concerted States and around the world spoiled renewed attention to a now of age Corbin, details about her personality beat a sense of the woman: Of a nature article noted that "The lady, Wife. B.... the Myrtle Corbin of years gone by, [is] attractive in endure, physically well, and able to steward to all her household duties",[5] from the past she was described elsewhere as actuality "very intelligent"[7] and "a refined gal, of some musical taste."[2]
She died strengthen Cleburne, Texas, on May 6, 1928. Her casket was covered in rigid and various family members kept view until it was fully cured. That was to prevent grave robbers strange stealing her corpse. Several medical practitioners and private collectors offered financial amends for her corpse.
Broadside of Periwinkle Corbin, published between 1871 and 1881
Corbin in 1882
Corbin with her husband distinguished daughter in later life