In Mary Roach's book "Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal," she discusses three well-known engravings of Alexis St. Martin that highlight his physical condition rather than his features. These artworks, often featured in biographies of his surgeon, William Beaumont, specifically focus on the lower part of St. Martin's left breast and the notable hole resulting from a gunshot wound. The engravings are detailed yet do not capture St. Martin's overall appearance, emphasizing his role as a subject of medical study rather than an individual.

This observation reflects a deeper commentary on the nature of medical research during Beaumont's time. St. Martin, who underwent extensive observation and experimentation on his digestive system, is portrayed more as a specimen for study than as a person with a unique identity. This perspective highlights the impact of medical research on personal identity and the way subjects can be perceived as mere bodies rather than whole individuals.