Man-midwifery history: 1730-1930

Area of Science:

• Medical History
• Obstetrics
• Bioethics

Background:

• Examining the historical roles of William Smellie and William Hunter in obstetrics.
• Investigating the ethical implications of their methods, including dissection for knowledge acquisition.
• Assessing the impact of the lying-in hospital model on maternal and infant mortality rates.

Discussion:

• Critically evaluating the 'Founding Fathers' accolade for Smellie and Hunter.
• Analyzing the ethical compromise of knowledge gained through illicit dissection.
• Quantifying the excess mortality attributed to the institutionalized birthing practices they championed.

Key Insights:

• Smellie and Hunter's obstetric advancements were overshadowed by unethical practices.
• The shift to lying-in hospitals led to a significant increase in deaths compared to home births.
• Their legacy is tainted by murder-for-dissection and a detrimental public health impact.

Outlook:

• Re-evaluating historical figures in medicine requires a comprehensive ethical lens.
• Current obstetric standards are built upon a foundation that necessitates critical historical examination.
• The paper advocates for a revised understanding of obstetric history, prioritizing ethical conduct.