William Smellie, A Collection of Cases and Observations in Midwifery, By William Smellie, M.D. To illustrate his former treatise, or first volume, on that subject (Vol. 2, 1758).
Full text of later edition:
| Date | 1758 |
|---|---|
| Location | Unknown |
| Description |
Smellie’s bestselling midwifery handbook (Treatise on the Theory and Practice of Midwifery) ran into 3 volumes. He had been practicing midwifery for several decades and had been involved in around 1,500 deliveries, when he compiled the works. Although Smellie was generally in favour of female midwives (he employed them and also used their assistance with teaching), his case studies frequently illuminate the tensions between male and female birth attendants. In the case presented here Smellie can barely conceal his irritation after being called by a female midwife to attend a woman in difficulty, who had been labouring three days. Arriving at the birthing woman’s residence with his pupil, Smellie: “found this loquacious midwife extremely ignorant, without the least tincture of knowledge in her profession…she had walked her about and fatigued her so much that she was quite exhausted…she said she had done all that lay in her power…but she could not inform me how long the waters had been discharged”. |
| Format | |
| Original Index Number |
