Parturition, or the expulsion of the perfectly formed human being from the body of its mother, is a most wonderful natural function, for the complete and safe performance of which at the proper time, every requisite is found to exist. Notwithstanding the contrary experience of society, as it now exists, it is well known that extreme suffering, and danger to life, are not necessary nor even probable accompaniments to child-birth; for it is invariably found, when females live under circumstances favourable to their full physical development and health, that it occurs speedily, and with little or no difficulty or pain. Numerous proofs of this could be given in accounts of the Indians, and other uncivilized females, among whom parturition is regarded as an ordinary occurrence, for which no preparation need be made, and about which no apprehension need be felt; such facts, however, are so well known that they only need be referred to here.

As the organization and requirements of society changes, by the adoption of what is called civilization, the condition of woman becomes very different to what it was originally. In many respects her lot is much meliorated, and she has great reason to be pleased with the change, but in other respects she has not been so fortunate.

One great evil resulting from her altered position is, a neglect of proper physical education while young, and of the various requirements for bodily health in after life. In consequence of which she becomes constitutionally weaker, and more sensitive to various injurious influences, which she possesses diminished powers to withstand. This evil increases in proportion as civilization advances, until at last females become so imperfectly organized, and so enervated, that they are utterly unable to fulfil the duties assigned them, and they either die prematurely, or pass their whole lives in suffering and complaint. So universally is this the case at the present time, particularly in cities, that the exempt are very rare exceptions to a rule most lamentably general. Unfortunately, custom and false notions have given this melancholy state the stamp of propriety, and thrown around it the charm of fashion. The suffering invalid is called interesting, and the pale faced debilitated creature, scarcely able to crawl about, is styled genteel, while robust health and physical capability is termed coarseness and vulgarity. So infatuated, and weak minded, have females been made on this point, that I have actually known some of them quite chagrined because people could see they were well and strong; and I have known others quite alarmed for fear that they should look so. A short time ago I knew a lady who, by the adoption of a proper course of training and treatment, passed through her confinement so quickly, and with so little exhaustion, that she was up and travelling about in three days after, not only without inconvenience but with pleasure and advantage. But what was the impression made on her female friends by such a speedy recovery? did they feel quite pleased at it, and desirous that all others should be equally fortunate? No; but quite the contrary! She was actually thought deserving of reprehension, and was stigmatized as vulgar in the extreme. One person even made the remark, that she must be a very common person, and no Lady! Now what a pitiable state of ignorance, and mental imbecility, these females must be in, to be actually proud of their infirmities; and yet they are but like the majority of their sex. If they were not so unfortunate in not knowing their true interests, they would be highly culpable, but as it is they are truly deserving of our pity.

It must be admitted, however, that though civilization has, so far, entailed these evils on women, it has also done much to alleviate them. Many diseases are beneficially modified, and some are even cured, by medical treatment; surgical science has also attained a high point of perfection; and the difficulties attendant on child birth are overcome to a great extent by obstetrical skill. But notwithstanding all this alleviation, these evils are still deplorably great. The utmost scientific skill to which society can ever attain, will do but little towards effectually relieving human suffering, and removing disease, so long as it is entirely devoted to the mere art of curing and palliating as it chiefly is now. Our knowledge of the human system, and of the causes which produce in it disease and deterioration, must be universally disseminated, so that the whole people may see how these evils arise, and how they should live, and conduct themselves, so as to avoid them altogether! or, in other words, science should teach us how to prevent disease and suffering, instead of merely how to alleviate them. Eventually this will be done, and our females will then pass through their travail as easily as their savage sisters do now. Let us hope that time will soon come; and let every one esteem it his duty, who possesses the ability, to hasten its coming, by doing all he can to spread the necessary information to those who need it.

The happy exemption from difficulty and suffering which females enjoy in more uncultivated states of society, and which we believe they will ultimately enjoy universally, does not however obviate the necessity for assistance now, in our state of society, and we have therefore to explain how it can best be rendered.

It has often been a matter of dispute, both with medical men and with moralists, whether Men or Women ought to assist in child-birth. The discussion has called forth a great deal of declamation, but very little has been said to the point on either side. It appears to me, however, that the question may be very easily settled, if it be rightly considered. The first requisite, and the most indispensable, in those who are to assist in child birth is, that they should know how to assist. This is paramount to every thing else. Now, if females really did know what to do in such cases, and were fully competent to do it, I think there is no question but they would be the best assistants, to say nothing of their being the most proper. There are many things experienced by females in such situations, which can never be understood by a man at all, though they are readily appreciated by one of their own sex, particularly if she has been a mother herself. With each other also there would be less disposition and less occasion for reserve in delicate communications, and less repugnance to necessary examination or manipulation, which could therefore be more efficiently practised. In short, if women were undoubtedly equally competent with men in this art, and full confidence was felt in them by their own sex, I think it is evident they would, in every respect, be the most fitting practitioners, and I have no doubt but they would be preferred. The question simply arises then, whether they are so competent? And every one able to judge, who speaks honestly, must admit that very few, if any of them really are so. It has not been possible for them to acquire the requisite information, nor to pursue the necessary investigations, and therefore we cannot expect that they can be equal to those who have. There are some women I know, who have been careful observers, and who have had great experience, that can render all needful help in most cases, but even they are apt to meet with difficulties, which require more skill than they possess to overcome; therefore very few like to depend upon them altogether. It is naturally argued that, as a physician may be needed, it is better to have him at first, and so be ready for every contingency.

That females can make competent Accoucheurs is proved by numerous well known instances, among which I need only refer to Madame Boivin, and Madame Lachapelle, both of whom, as practitioners and as authors, stand in the very highest rank. These ladies are referred to as authorities, and their works are quoted by the most eminent Professors of the day; in fact, on many points, they have surpassed all competitors. Further on in our work we shall have occasion to refer to their labours, the value of which will then be seen.

It is therefore evident that females can officiate, if they are properly instructed, which I think they ought to be, independent of the reasons already given. That they will eventually be competent I have no doubt, and I am proud to throw my mite of instruction in their way to assist in making them so.

In regard to the alledged immorality resulting from the present system of men acting as Midwives, there is much exaggeration, and much unnecessary alarm. That it is, in some respects, indelicate, and only to be justified by necessity is true, but there is no foundation for saying, as some do, that it leads to wide spread Profligacy and Adultery. I should prefer to see females always able to assist each other; but I cannot nevertheless consider the present system a necessary cause of licentiousness.

That females were always depended upon in old times, and are now in certain rude communities, is true, but that is no reason why they should be depended upon under all circumstances. In our present highly artificial state there are numerous causes at work, and numerous difficulties experienced, unknown to more primitive times and conditions, and we therefore require greater skill and more extensive resources. Females have in fact become more in want of help, and less able to assist.

At what time, and in what country, men first began to assist in cases of labour is not recorded. They have done so however for a long time, much longer than most people suppose. In the time of Hippocrates, called the Father of Medicine, who lived more than four hundred years before Christ, it appears that physicians were commonly resorted to. In his writings we find cases described, which show that he was well acquainted with the process of parturition, and even with some of the most difficult operations now practised. The Israelites appear to have employed women, as most eastern nations in fact do at the present day.

Midwifery, however, did not attract much attention, nor make much progress, till about the middle of the sixteenth century, since when it has been studied and practised by the most eminent Physicians and Surgeons, and has arrived at great perfection.

Many new discoveries have been made lately, which enable us to facilitate delivery and ease its pains, so that it is now robbed of many of its former terrors and dangers. Some of these discoveries are of easy application, and promise much future good; I shall carefully describe them all, in the following pages.

F. H.