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‘Few women think of following the employment
till they be reduced to the necessity of doing it for bread. Hence not
one in a hundred of them have any education,
or proper knowledge of their business.’ Thus far he is evidently
speaking of nurses. ‘It is equally true,’ (says he) ‘that
most women in child-bed require to be managed with skill and attention,
and that they are often hurt by the superstitious prejudices of ignorant
and officious midwives. The mischief done in this way is much greater
than is generally imagined; most of which might be prevented by allowing
no woman to practice midwifery but such as are properly qualified. Were
due attention paid to this, it would not only be the means of saving many
lives, but would prevent the NECESSITY of employing
men in this INDELICATE and disagreeable
branch of medicine, which is, on MANY accounts,
MORE proper for the other sex.’
Though it is impossible for the most ignorant and illiterate midwives
to do so much mischief with their hands, as skilful men have done
with their levers, &c. I am no advocate |
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