“'The historical context was quite interesting, in terms of how the medical profession was developing – antiseptic was only just being (reluctantly) introduced, public dissections were still common, tens of thousands of people died in workhouse infirmaries each year – and the social conditions of the East End Poor, but the actual Ripper theory is hilariously ridiculous. The evidence is completely non-existent, and the whole thing is based on sheer conjecture and speculation. It seems like they came up with the idea and went bananas trying to find any remote shred of coincidence or circumstance that might support it – and even so, most of what they came up with doesn't. 'Clutching at straws' just doesn't do it justice -- some of the stuff they cite as substantial links is so out there it actually made me yell 'dude, what?' out loud on the bus. Poor old John Williams must be spinning in his grave. '”
