From Witchcraft to Wisdom
A History of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the British Isles

This book provides a history of childbearing in the British Isles from 1540 to the high-tech deliveries of today.

Geoffrey Chamberlain (Author)

9781904752141, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG)

Hardback, published 1 June 2007

352 pages
30.7 x 25.7 x 2.6 cm, 2.32 kg

This fascinating and beautifully illustrated book tells the story of childbearing since 1540, from an event so dangerous that many women made their wills before labour began to the high-tech deliveries of today. The book also reveals the battles which had to be fought with the surgeons, with the church and against public opinion to bring these advances about. The story is told against a background of significant social and historical events in the British Isles and, where relevant, abroad. The book also contains quotations from a variety of sources, some of which history has proved correct and others which have been proved lamentably wrong. Individuals of special importance and developments of particular significance are highlighted.

1. Prequel: from the beginning to 1540
2. The Tudor era 1540–1603
3. Stuart times 1603–88
4. Enlightenment 1688–1783
5. The Industrial Revolution 1783–1837
6. Victorian improvements 1837–1901
7. Early modern history 1901–45
8. Modern times 1945–2000
Appendix 1. A brief history of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 1929–2000
Appendix 2. Time lines
Further reading
Illustrations and credits
Index.

Subject Areas: Pregnancy, birth & baby care [VFXB], Birthing methods [MQDB], Gynaecology & obstetrics [MJT], History of medicine [MBX], Medicine [M]