Call Number:

Ms. Codex 2275

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

.1 linear feet (1 volume)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Midwifery lecture notes, circa 1800-1850, Ms. Codex 2275, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

circa 1800-1850 (inclusive)

Form:

Lecture notes

Abstract:

This volume contains notes on 19 numbered lectures on the topic of childbirth, taken by an unknown midwife or medical student, most likely during the first half of the nineteenth century. These lectures, written in a fairly narrative manner, include practical advice for helping women giving birth, alongside more theoretical medical background providing context for issues midwives or physicians might face. There is no concrete evidence of where these courses were taught; but it seems possible that the author was British.

Prior to the mid-eighteenth century, almost all births were overseen by women midwives. In the United States, because "doctors were scarce and … social tradition required the attendance of a midwife at birth, … the practice of midwifery flourished before the American revolution," (Radosh, p. 130). In subsequent years, both man-midwives and male physicians increasingly took on responsibilities that had been reserved for women, particularly amongst affluent patients. Most states passed regulations for licensing those who practiced medicine and medical schools proliferated. Throughout the 19th century, "use of midwives declined steadily," (Radosh, p. 132).

Formal education of midwives did exist throughout England, America, and France. From 1739, William Smellie (1697-1763) "gave lectures and practical demonstrations in London for female midwives and medical schools" (Science Museum Group). As early as 1762, "Dr. William Shippen, Jr. who had studied midwifery under the famous English man-midwife, Smellie, opened a midwifery school in Philadelphia for the instruction of both men and women," (Radosh, p. 130). According to Shryock, there was a similar effort made by Samuel Bard in New York; and both Shippen and Bard believed that "with better instruction, midwives could take care of many cases and that emergencies could be referred to qualified physicians," (p. 24). While this sort of education became and remained popular in Europe, it did not continue in the United States. In 1803, l'Hôpital de la Maternité was founded specifically to educate midwives from around France. According to Buck, "during the first five years of the existence of the École d'Accouchement, nearly five hundred well-educated women were sent to practice midwifery in different parts of France," (p. 254).

The creator of this volume of lecture notes on midwifery is unknown, as is the exact date. There are mentions of physicians (last name only) who were active in the 18th century (probably Mauquest de La Motte (1655-1737), John Burton (1710-1771), and William Smellie (1697-1763)); and therefore the volume was probably created in the early half of the 19th century. The lectures are in English; however the spine title is in French. It is unclear if the lecture notes were taken by a man or a woman studying midwifery; or if the lectures were part of a school focusing on courses in midwifery; or simply a part of a larger medical curriculum. An entire lecture focused "On the use of instruments," which may indicate a male physician took these notes since "women midwives "virtually never interfered with the normal birth process … [and] physicians were more likely than midwives to employ instruments in delivery" (Radosh, p. 131). The spelling of several words (labours and foetus) is more typical in British English rather than American English.

Works cited:

Buck, Albert H. The Dawn of Modern Medicine. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1920.

Radosh, Polly F. "Midwives in the United States: Past and Present." Population Research and Policy Review,), 1986. Vol. 4, No. 2 (1986), pp. 129-146/

Science Museum Group. "William Smellie, 1697-1763." (https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/people/cp69945/william-smellie) accessed 2025 June 20.

Shryock, Richard Harrison. Medicine and Society in America, 1660-1860. New York: New York University Press, 1960.

This volume contains notes from nineteen numbered lectures on the topic of childbirth, taken by an unknown midwife or medical student. Lectures include: Lecture 1. "On the Rise and Progress of Midwifery," (p. 1r) with sections: "of different authors on Midwifery" (2r) and "On the Pelvis" (4r); Lecture 2. "On the Female Parts of Generation" (7r); Lecture 3. "On the [illegible] Uterus (10v) and "Of Conception" (14v); Lecture 4. "Of the Disorders attending pregnancy" (16v); Lecture 5. "On Abortion (21r); Lecture 6. "On Natural Labor" (26r); Lecture 7. "On the use of instruments" (34v); Lecture 8. "Case on the [Machines]" (37v); Lecture 9. "Case 2nd" (38v); Lecture 10. "The 3rd Case: The Fontanel presenting with the face under the pubis and the vertex to the sacrum" (40v); Lecture 11. "On face cases" (42r); Lecture 12. "2nd Face Cases" (43v); Lecture 13. "3rd Face Cases" (44 r); Lecture 14. "On preternatural labors" (44v); Lecture 15. "On premature birth" (46r); Lecture 16. "On the 3rd Class of preternatural labours" (49r); Lecture 17. "Case 2nd" (51v) which includes "On Twins" (52v); Lecture 18. "On the narrow pelvis" (53v); Lecture 19. "On the treatment of Lying in Women and the Management of Children during the month" (59r); and lectures (unnumbered): "Floodings after Delivery" (60v); "Of after pains" (62v); "Management of Children" (66v); and "Peculiarities of the Foetus" (68r).

These lectures are written in a fairly narrative manner and include practical advice for helping women giving birth, alongside more theoretical medical background providing context for issues midwives or physicians might face.

The volume is bound in half leather with marbled paper covers, and gilt spine title, reading M M / J. Desp[u] / Accouchement.