History of Medicine
Murder pamphlets often did not list an author. But sometimes the suspect would contribute to the writing and publication of the murder pamphlet, as a forum to proclaim his or her innocence, or to justify or explain why the act had been committed. Sometimes a doctor or
surgeon who served as expert witness in the case would write the pamphlet to consider the “medico-legal” and scientific aspects. Such pamphlets were usually addressed to medical colleagues and lawyers, but also attracted a collateral audience among the wider public.
