English Midwives, Their History and Prospects

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1872 edition. Excerpt: ...had to be recommended by matrons who had experienced her skill, and had to bring a certificate from the parish minister certifying as to her life and conversation, and that she was a member of the Church of England. Search in the account books of the Barber and Surgeon's Company of this date has failed to verify this statement Unfortunately the minute books for this period cannot be found. Midwife's Oath. "You shall swear, first, that you shall be diliigent and faithful and ready to help every woman labouring with child as well the poor as the rich; and that in time of necessity you shall not forsake the poor woman to go to the rich.; "Item. You shall neither cause nor suffer any woman to name or put any other father to the child, but only him which is the very true father thereof indeed. "Item. You shall not suffer any woman to pre tend, feign, or surmise herself to be delivered of a child who is not indeed; neither to claim any other woman's child for her own. "Item. You shall not suffer any woman's child to be murdered, maimed, or otherwise hurt, as much as you may; and so often as you shall perceive any peril or jeopardy either in the woman or in the child, in any such wise as you shall be in doubt what shall chance thereof, you shall thenceforth in due time send for other midwives and expert women in that faculty, and use their advice and council in that behalf. "Item. You shall not in any wise use or exercise any manner of witchcraft, charm or sorcery, invocation or other prayers that may stand with God's laws and the King's. "Item. You shall not give any counsel or minister any herb, medicine, or potion, or any other thing, to any woman being with child whereby she should destroy or cast out that she...