Release date is 2019-09-20

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"A Treatise on the Art of Midwifery" by Elizabeth Nihell is a scientific publication written in the mid-18th century. The work critiques the increasing practice of male midwives and the use of instruments in childbirth, arguing for the superiority and necessity of female practitioners. Nihell seeks to empower women by urging them to take charge of their own health and childbirth decisions through informed judgment. The opening of the treatise establishes Nihell’s firm stance against the misconceptions surrounding midwifery, emphasizing the delicate nature of childbirth and the importance of preserving traditional female practices. She addresses the historical context of midwifery, asserting that women have always been the primary caregivers in this field, supported by scripture and ancient practices that favored female practitioners. Nihell confronts various objections to women’s capabilities in midwifery, underscores the dangers posed by male practitioners employing instruments, and advocates for the natural skill and tenderness of women midwives, all while calling for a re-examination of societal prejudices against them. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Original publication data not identified