From Witchcraft to Wisdom: A History of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the British Isles

From Witchcraft to Wisdom: A History of Obstetrics & Gynaecology in the British Isles tells the story of the development of childbearing since 1540. To tell a story of events which have developed over more than four hundred years is clearly a major task. Professor Chamberlain has undertaken this in a characteristically forthright fashion which holds the reader’s attention throughout. He tells how childbearing has gradually changed from an event so dangerous to the mother that many made their wills before labour began to the virtually pain-free deliveries of today; how gynaecological disorders have been studied and managed to the great relief of the modern woman.

Professor Chamberlain tells, also, of the battles which had to be fought with the surgeons, with the church and against public opinion to bring these advances about. He does not limit his account to the professionals in these fields, however, but tells his story against a background of significant social and historical events which have occurred in the British Isles and, when necessary, abroad, which will be of interest to health workers of all kinds and to sociologists as well.

He intrigues the reader with fascinating quotations from a variety of sources, some of which posterity has proved correct and others history has shown to be lamentably wrong. A notable feature of the book is the use of ‘boxes’ which appear in parallel with the main text, in which an individual of special importance or a development of particular significance can be given more detailed attention without interrupting the flow of the text itself. Frequent illustrations further increase the interest of this fine book.

"...a fantastic story of success. Professor Chamberlain is hereby applauded for his work." Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica

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