Before bioethics : a history of American medical ethics from the colonial period to the bioethics revolution / Robert Baker.

New York : Oxford University Press, [2013]

xi, 476 pages ; 25 cm

Introduction : on medicine, ethics, and morality -- Midwives' oaths of fidelity and diligence -- The medical ethics of gentlemanly honor -- The lecturers : Samuel Bard and Benjamin Rush -- Oaths and codes of medical police and ethics, 1806-1846 -- A national code of medical ethics -- Professional medical ethics, 1848-1875 : abortion, inquisition, and exclusion -- The anti-code revolt : laissez-faire medical ethics, 1876-1979 -- American research ethics, 1800-1946 -- Explaining the birth of bioethics, 1947-1999.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [383]-429) and index.