A lecture introductory to the theory and practice of midwifery : including the history of that science; with a view of its several branches, and the proper means of attaining a perfect knowledge of the whole. Also animadversions on the qualification and deportment of an accoucheur: publicly delivered at his theatre, in Craven-Street, London / by John Leake ...

Date:
M,DCC,LXXXII. [1782]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A lecture introductory to the theory and practice of midwifery : including the history of that science; with a view of its several branches, and the proper means of attaining a perfect knowledge of the whole. Also animadversions on the qualification and deportment of an accoucheur: publicly delivered at his theatre, in Craven-Street, London / by John Leake ... Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    before the breeding cattle, to make the young ones fpeckled.’* However unphilofophical and abfurd fuch ideas may appear, they have been adopted by many, even in the prefent enlight- ened age, who too readily take things for granted on tradition and hearfay, inftead of trufting to the teftimony of their fenfes. Thus vulgar errors, like the diftempered offspring of which we are fpeaking, have been propagated and delivered down from one generation to another. The ignorant and fuperffi- tious, in particular, refufe to be convinced, and are offended with fuch as diffurb their extravagant belief, but are wonder- fully entertained by thofe who feed their fickly fancies, with ffrange examples of marks, monfters, and mutilated forms, to whom they liften with as much avidity, as Shake/peares black- fmith “ with open mouth fwallowing a tailor’s news.” It is much to be regretted that the generality of women are thus inclined to an opinion fo unfavorable for themfelves; which not only tends to diffurb their repofe and fill their minds with horror and dreadful apprehenfions, but is alfo contrary to experience, found reafon, and the ftate of the animal (economy. To fuppofe that nature, in the production of the Foetus, fhould thus tranfgrefs her own laws, and be put out of her due and regular courfe by trifling accidental caufes, is not only cruelty and difaffection to themfelves, but an affront to the wifdom and goodnefs of the Creator. A woman’s mind, from the delicacy