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A Treatise on the Art of Midwifery / Setting Forth Various Abuses Therein, Especially as to the Practice With Instruments: the Whole Serving to Put All Rational Inquirers in a Fair Way of Very Safely Forming Their Own Judgement Upon the Question; Which It Is Best to Employ, in Cases of Pregnancy and Lying-in, a Man-midwife; Or, a Midwife cover

A Treatise on the Art of Midwifery / Setting Forth Various Abuses Therein, Especially as to the Practice With Instruments: the Whole Serving to Put All Rational Inquirers in a Fair Way of Very Safely Forming Their Own Judgement Upon the Question; Which It Is Best to Employ, in Cases of Pregnancy and Lying-in, a Man-midwife; Or, a Midwife

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About This Book

The author presents a sustained critique of contemporary obstetric practice, attacking the growing reliance on male practitioners and instruments and defending the competence of experienced midwives. She documents alleged abuses and dangerous innovations, argues that some instrument-based interventions cause harm, and urges parents to examine evidence and use common sense when choosing attendants. The treatise combines practical observations, ethical appeals, and procedural commentary to recommend safer, more humane care in pregnancy and childbirth, while rejecting professional self-interest and fashionable assumptions that displace skilled female midwives.

About the Author

Nihell, Elizabeth portrait

Elizabeth Nihell

Elizabeth Nihell was an early 18th-century author known for her contributions to the field of midwifery. Her notable work, "A Treatise on the Art of Midwifery," critically examines the practices and abuses within the profession, particularly regarding the use of instruments. Nihell's writing serves as a guide for rational inquiry into the choice between employing a man-midwife or a midwife during pregnancy and childbirth. Through her work, she aimed to empower readers to form their own judgments on these important matters, reflecting the evolving discourse around women's health and midwifery practices of her time.

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