Open AccessObstetrical Forceps: Symbols of Power and Professionalism in Victorian Britain
Author(s) -
Doreen Evenden Nagy
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
journal of anthropology at mcmaster
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0707-3771
DOI - 10.15173/nexus.v3i1.102
Subject(s) - forceps , childbirth , power (physics) , medical profession , obstetrics , medicine , nursing , pregnancy , family medicine , surgery , genetics , physics , quantum mechanics , biology
An examination of British medical journals and texts from 1795 to 1882 reveals a trend from a relatively conservative use of obstetrical forceps to a more frequent and radical use of forceps in childbirth. This trend not only paralleled the efforts of the doctors to establish themselves in an increasingly competitive profession, but it reflected the efforts of the doctors to take midwifery from the midwives and "professionalize" it as a branch of medicine under the control of male practioners.