Medicine Women

The Story of Early-American Women Doctors

Author: Cathy Luchetti
ISBN: 9780517598481

The story of women in medicine is multi- fold, from their ascendency as healers and midwives in the early years of American Colonialism to their gradual decline as they were eclipsed by men, whose entrance into the medical ranks brought new standards of exclusionary professionalism. All-male medical schools, state medical boards, and licensing pushed "healing" women into the subcategory of midwife or nurse. Nineteenth-century women retaliated by forming their own colleges, studying independently, and eventually forcing themselves into competition with accepted medical institutions. But these women doctors had a twin burden of prejudice to overcome: first, society's Victorian grudge against any woman who wished to snap the bonds of domesticity and become a professional; and, also, the basic distrust of a rural population for medicine. Women had to win the confidence of female patients before launching into feminist encouragement, advocating fresh air, exercise, and uncorseted clothing.

Publisher: Crown Publishers
Publish Date: 1998

Subjects: Medical / History, Social Science / Women's Studies

This book is available in the following Community Centers: Women's Center (Location: Medicine)