Tarring and feathering concerned coating an individual in scorching tar after which overlaying them with feathers. This type of public humiliation and punishment was typically carried out by mobs or vigilantes. The act was supposed to trigger ache, discomfort, and social ostracization, serving as a method of extralegal justice or intimidation. Historic accounts element its use primarily in colonial America and frontier areas.
Whereas the first intention was to inflict humiliation and ache, the process may, the truth is, be deadly. The severity relied on a number of elements, together with the temperature of the tar, the extent of the burns inflicted, and the general well being of the sufferer. Scalding from the recent tar may result in extreme burns and subsequent infections. Moreover, inhalation of scorching tar fumes may trigger respiratory misery and probably be deadly. The aged, youngsters, and people with pre-existing medical circumstances had been notably weak to life-threatening issues.