Copyright (c) Jane Austen’s World. In A Triple Tragedy: How Princess Charlotte’s Death in 1817 Changed Obstetrics, I discussed the two approaches to obstetrics in the early 19th century – the conservative approach, which meant no intervention, and the more radical intervention approach. I included no image of a physician examining a woman.
Morbid Anatomy, one of my new favorite sites, features three images of a physician examining a woman (circa 1800). These images came without attribution, but are interesting nevertheless. Click here to see them all.
Internal examination of a woman, circa 1800
In the early 1800’s there was also a growing number of formally trained doctors who took great pains to distinguish themselves from the host of lay practitioners. The most important real distinction was that the formally trained, or “regular” doctors as they called themselves, were male, usually middle class, and almost always more expensive than the lay competition. The “regulars'” practices were largely confined to middle and upper class people who could afford the prestige of being treated by a “gentleman” of their own class. By 1800, fashion even dictated that upper and middle class women employ male “regular” doctors for obstetrical care—a custom which plainer people regarded as grossly indecent.” – Witches, Midwives, and Nurses A History of Women Healers by Barbara Ehrenreich and Deirdre English
More on the topic:
Thanks for this post. I’ve noticed that many of the “sequels” to Pride and Prejudice have Darcy hiring a doctor for Elizabeth’s pregnancy of their progeny. I wondered how common that practice was.
Nice post. I always wondered though, with practices being so prim and proper, why there was no such thing as female doctors, since it would be quite proper for them to examine female patients, without no inteference from males. Ah well.
Interestingly, Karen, midwives were the primary obstetricians for all classes until the 18th century, when male physicians began to be solicited by upper class pregnant women. The lower classes continued to use midwives, but by the early 19th century, these lay doctors largely served the poor. Princess Caroline’s horrible death changed how male physicians treated women during childbirth, and changed the course of obstetrics.
Being a man I’m not sure I should comment.
The expression on the woman’s face is priceless. I am the father of four. No, I know. I’ll shut up now. That doesn’t come anywhere near counting does it. Very interesting article, Vic.
Tony
Fascinating glimpse into another era. The picture says it all – more like a parlour game than a professional examination.
Just a thought…I wonder who posed for the etching?
Grace x
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I’ve never understood why childbirth was considered so ordinary and not worthy of a real doctor’s attendance when so many women were dying in childbirth! I think I would have had a real doctor AND a midwife or two with me!
When I was touring a Charles St. mansion in New Orleans, the owner showed us a nude female doll owned by a family in the 19th century. A woman would described to her husband where she was hurting, pointing to the doll, and the husband would take the doll to the doctor. Oh, if they had only allowed women to be doctors!
All your posts are great, but these medical posts are highly informative. Thanks.
Thanks for your interesting post…the look of patience and fortitude and on the face of that poor woman! Do I detect a slight hostility in her expression ?
A male doctor may have been more fashionable, but rightly or wrongly, reckon I’d prefer a midwife….During an internal examination of a lady patient, i wonder if another woman (midwife?) or a companion were ever present ?
I read the personal account of authoress Maria Edgeworth (?) circa 1800 for breast cancer and it reads like a gothic nightmare ! Her own servents tied her to a dining-table, and several doctors operated on her… She wasn’t given any anathestic but she fainted from her agony and lack of air and stuffiness of the room…About the doorway, medical students gawked and watched the procedure….Still, she survived her ordeal and as she lived to write, it was worth her life as she lived to old age. I can be glad if Obsterics improved for sake of women’s health, but I some practises may’ve been more convienent for a doctor…. on Morbid Anatomy, the third image (1820’s) shows a woman being examined lying down- I’ve read this position enabled a doctor to make a more thorough examination, not the comfort of the patient or a woman in childbirth.
Call me a prude but I prefer a woman doctor for women’s issues although I also see our family doctor, such a nice guy !
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