Winchester Goose

Winchester Goose was the name for venereal disease that caused swelling in the groin. Winchester Geese was the 16th century name for the prostitutes that operated under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Winchester. They died and were buried at Cross Bones, South London, in an unconsecrated graveyard. It was a place for paupers and those who died from cholera. It was closed in 1853 after an estimated 15,000 bodies were interred. To add more would strain the societal bonds of decency. During excavation for the London Underground Jubilee Line, some bodies were exhumed and moved. One third of the bodies were perinatal, between 22 weeks gestation and 7 days postnatal. 11% were under a year old. The adults were women over 36 years of age. Tests showed many had smallpox, tuberculosis, Paget's disease and osteoarthritis.