Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-08-03
BY kEQU ksr.l
from the Botanic Sentinel.

Ma. EDITOR-Wth your permission ]
would offer few humble remarks to the Bo-
tanic reader, u..on subject which DO not
remember to have seen particularly noticed
in the columns Of the Sentinel. Midwifery
(the subject alluded TOY ID a branch of medical
science, 10 discourse of which involves the
utmost delicacy, and the difficulty Of broaclI-.
ing it in public manner, without offending
the chaste ear of the reader, has ever kept 1t
in the rear Of other arts Of equa! simplicity
and usefulness. ] venture, however, 20 IN
troducc it under all It's peculiar embarrass-
nicnts, aud my apology for 50 doing is, the
most unparalleled benefit which radical re-
form IN this important art promises TO the
human family. Ii is to be feared that Botan-
ic Physicians in general, while they have
been industriously engaged in promoting the
cause of Botanic Medicine as applied to other
branches Of medical science, have been too
reiniss upon this important subject. My OBJ
jcct is to bring their minds to bear more de-
cidedly upon this important point in the
medical profession. Let not the members Of
tho Friendly Botanic Society be induced by
any feelings Of false delicacy to withhold
their influence and labour in cause where
the voice Of humanity calls 80 loudly for their
assistance. outstanding the rapid DIFF
fusion of useful knowledge which is now TAX
ing plnce throughout the American republic,
it must be confessed that upon this interest
ing subject the public mind still remains
chained in the grosscst ignorance. This
simple art has as yet been less influenced by
the triumphant spirit OF reform than the other
branches Of ancient medicine. The reason
of this is that its nature admits Of closer
concealment from the eye Of public scrutiny.
The garb of mysterious secrecy aud technical
obscurity in which it has been clad by its willy
practitioners have but too successfully shield.
ed it from the prevailing genius of free and
liberal investigation. 1t is strong hold upon
winch the nlonopoli.ing faculty struggle to
rctan their grasp, bu; their struggle will be
in vain. This must inevitably share the same
fate as the other branches of their hcuthen-
born systein--a system which is now arraign-
ed in all it's deforInity before the tribunal of
public opinion, there to receive its sentence
from those who have been 50 sucC cCessfully
gulled and hood. winhcI by its artful devices
"a system, the power Of whose fascinating
charms has led millions Of crcduous victims
To- the sangune altur OF Esculapian idolat:y,
there in voluntary sacrifice t. pour out the
hearts pure blood in profilse llba,lon, and
Inaf the deudliest poisons as Beverage
But the charm is broken, and the "glare Of
false science" which hus 80 long brooded
over this gigantic pagod ofmedical despotisn,,
is now fast fading before the cfiulgent blaze
Of American genius.
Manv Botanic Practitioners assert rs n
reason why they pay so little attention to the
practice Of midwifery, that it Is al employ
mcnt which properly belongs to women. In
answer to this objection, will udnit that this
useful art is simple in its nature, that the
most i!litcratc females, if rightly instructed,
can practise i, as skiltuly AS men of the most
profound cruditon. But would inquire by
what means the worthy mairons Of our coun-
.ry are to be initiated into business in which
they are entirely unpractised and untaught?
Wlll it be considered practicable for the fe-
male part of the community, by their single
cndeavours, to accomplish the desired revo-
luton, and regain possession of their long lost
rights? Certainly not. Their native dif.
fdence will prevent their making the attempt
in opposition 10 the interest Of n powerful
craft, who have spared no pains ~ conceal
from them all knowledge and correct infor.
nation relating to the subject before U.S.
Aud furthermore, the prejudice of education
has involved the minds Of many, Otherwise
intelligent females, in the grossest errors,
making their practice, when they attempted
it, more unnatural and dangerous, IT possible,
than tina; of their learned deccivers. They
have, indeed, been taught to confide with the
most implicit faith in the imaginary wonder
working skill of the learned doctors in assist.
ing woman through tho perfectly natural
process Of giving birth to child. 1t will be
therefore necessary that the veil Of prejudice
be removed from the mental vision Of our
American ladies' before they can be success
fully enlisted in the glorious cause which
we ore now advocating. And what are we
TO expect in a measure OF this kind from the
ancient medical faculiy--tI,at privileged order
who originally wrested the practice Of this
truly feminine art from fairer and softer
hands? Surely nothing but opposition OF the
most violent and vndictive chsracter.--
Though the most experienced and intelligent
physicians of the Old School uro well aware
Of the ignorance and prejudice under which
the public are lnbourng upon this subject,
yet they would sooner resign tho profession
in silence than take the first step towards re-
moving the veil Of mystery from the inhuman
deeds Of cruelty which they have SO long
practised upon womsn-kind. BY whom then
" this moncntous work Of philanthropy and
human kindness to be accomplished? In re-
ply, appeal to the members OF the Friendly
Botanic Society. Is it not their duty, not
withstanding the delicacy Of the subject, to
expose ~ far as possible, and attempt to re-
form this cruel and dangerous practice, which
il daily palmed upon the better half Of the
community? Physicians Of the Botanic
Order, it must be acknowledges, have been
instrumental Of great good in reforming
medical practice as relates 10 the treatue mt