Chapter IV: Letter III

In my two last letters, I believe I satisfied those _who are open to conviction_, that _even the best_ Men-midwives are _not so safe_ as women,—and that the custom is destructive of modesty, and affords those Men-midwives _who chuse it_, finer seraglios than are in the possession of the most luxuriant Monarchs of the East.

There are bad consequences attending the practice which I have not mentioned. It is productive of danger, and of many evils, even when followed by the most eminent men in London;—who can fix limits then to its pernicious consequences, when a set of _raw, unskillful young_ men are turned loose through this town—round its skirts—and over the whole kingdom, and are received by the credulous multitude with no other recommendation than the words over the door of “⸺, _Surgeon and Man-midwife_?” Boys think themselves qualified for Men-midwives, by having attended one or two courses of lectures under Doctor Hunter,—or, perhaps, without having heard any lectures at all, or ever having seen a subject anatomized, start from behind an apothecary’s counter—and begin their career, murdering of infants without mercy; and with impunity laying the foundation for cancers, and the most dreadful diseases in women;—not to mention the chance of their ruining the peace of families, by introducing vice and discord, where health and harmony might otherwise have gladdened their serene dwellings.—They know enough of the ways requisite to use force;⸺they have heard female Midwives blamed for allowing tedious labours;⸺they think they will be deemed expert, in proportion _to the quickness_ with which they bring the child into the world,—and the mischiefs they of course give rise to are innumerable! It is not in the nature of things possible that _a young man_, ever so well qualified _by study_, can be _a safe_ Midwife—how dreadful then must the situations be of those poor women who are in the hands of the numberless men who practice that business throughout England!⸺The people ignorantly take for granted _THAT THE SEX constitutes knowledge—insures safety_! The truth is, _THE SEX alone is sufficient_ to render ANY KNOWLEDGE destructive in _general_ practice. If the men _must be introduced_ into _the privacies_ of women, I would earnestly recommend it as _THE MOST ESSENTIAL qualification_ requisite TO PREPARE them for the study, that they submit to having their _VOICES made delicate_.

And here I should have finished my letter, and the subject, if I had not seen an Essay in the Gazetteer of the 17th, signed “Old Chiron,” which I cannot avoid making some remarks on, before I conclude.

The author of it uses tolerable language, and probably could write pretty well on any other subject. He has done as much as could have been attempted in order _to continue_ the delusive error which blinds mankind. He knew he had _not Truth_ on his side—he has therefore _put words together, without argument_⸺he has boldly denied, what it is impossible to disprove⸺he has _as_ boldly _asserted WHAT NEVER HAPPENED_—and then _laughed-off_ facts, trusting _by ridicule_ to conceal their existence. The pen of _Junius_ could not defend the women who use men.

I believe _the thinking_ part of the world will join with me in opinion, that he would have shewn more wisdom if he had remained silent. A bad defence does harm to any cause—and _the more able_ the defender appears in his stile and language, the worse it is for his cause when he convinces his readers, that even _his abilities_ cannot do it service. The more this subject is investigated, the more prejudicial it will be to his profession.[4] A practice, _adopted_, and _continued through a jumblement_ of IGNORANCE and VICE, can only be favoured by suffering _an impenetrable_ shade _to veil_ actions _fit only for darkness_.

Old Chiron has been drove so hard as to have been forced to assert that the female Midwives always “_cram_ their patients with cordials⸺_keeping them intoxicated during the time they are in labour_”—and that they act like infernal fiends, “_driving_ poor women _up and down stairs, notwithstanding their SHRIEKS_, and _shaking them so violently_ as often to bring on convulsion fits, on pretence of hastening their labours⸺laughing at their cries⸺and breaking wretched jests upon the contortions of the women, whose torments would make a feeling man shudder at the sight.”⸺I believe that it is not possible any one can be _so sillily credulous_ as to have faith in these most _shocking, unnatural, improbable, horrid_ recitals! Is it possible even _if such a brute_ in an human shame found an entry into an house, that the poor lying-in woman could _be able_ to be forced “_up and down stairs_?”⸺and _allow herself_ to be _shook_? If _she_ was ignorant enough, and foolish enough to consent, _would her relations_⸺_her friends_⸺anxiously attending her, _likewise be so ignorant_ as not to know _such_ treatment was highly improper, as well as _cruel beyond cannibal brutality_? And this too _in England_! where bearing of children is not so very _uncommon_, so very _extraordinary_ a circumstance, as that a Midwife could find means to persuade people into such dreadful absurdities!—The idea _is too ridiculous_! I have seen among my near relations, many women in labour, as long as it was decent for a man to be present; and declare I have always seen their Midwives treat them with the utmost tenderness. I have enquired of several ladies of my acquaintance, each of whom has bore many children, and always employed women, and they have all declared they never even _heard_ of any thing in the _most distant_ manner resembling such treatment, as this _interested_ author has abused his talents by relating. To vouch falsehoods, and for _the most malignant_ purposes, needs no comment. Perhaps some diabolical wretch may have behaved in this manner⸺but is that ground enough to erect defamations on, against the whole sex? If _such_ proof was to be admitted decisive, I could severely retaliate on him _such_ proceedings of men, as would melt an heart of adamant! and I could bring demonstrable evidence to confirm the authenticity of my relations—but I have already been called “_indelicate_”—and if I was to write the horrors my pen could unfold—delineate facts, painting _the indecencies_, and _barbarities_ of men _whom I could name_, I should _indeed be indelicate_. What must then the _ACTS have been, which NO LANGUAGE can convey a description of, without offending the virtuous_, and _shocking_ the _humane_! yet I should look on myself as very culpable if I had instanced these men _as standards_ for the whole profession to be judged by. I gave the preference _to women, NOT because all men WERE BRUTES_, but because _the greatest Saint_ on earth, _IF a MAN in health_, could not answer for his principles being proof against the _irresistible temptations arising_ from being _freely indulged_ in _the most luxurious_ liberties with all _the feminine_ beauties of lovely women,—and because their knowledge of anatomy, and their _INSTRUMENTS being ready at hand_, too often _tempt_ them to use _force_, and do mischief in parts of the most _exquisite_ sensibility, which _no_ art, _no_ care, _no_ remedy, can _ever_ after repair; where, if _nature_ had been allowed to do her office, she would have been _a safe_ operator, and all would have ended happily; and let any impartial person decide _whether a man_, who knows every method of forcing the birth, _or a woman_, who is conscious of being _unacquainted_ with THAT DANGEROUS KNOWLEDGE, _are MOST LIKELY to alter the COURSE OF NATURE, by interfering_, where she ought to be THE SOLE actor?⸺It is an indisputable fact, that women have such a peculiar sympathy for females big with young, that ninety-nine out of an hundred carry it to such an excess as to be anxious about _brutes_ in that situation. I have often heard ladies uneasy about mares they have seen with foal, and bitches with whelp. It is _an instinct_ implanted, and interwoven with their natures _by the Great Source_ of all things, for the wisest purposes. Those _who have felt_ the agonies of child birth, surely must be able to sympathize _more feelingly_ than men who can only form an idea of them by theory. Women must be allowed to have more tenderness in their natures than men⸺so that _in every view_ we cannot contest the point of sensibility with them. Yet this author asserts women are improper for Midwives because they are _most_ inhuman—because they drive their fellow-creatures up and down stairs—and shake them into convulsion fits! did old Chiron write ironically? or did he mean to betray the cause of the male-practitioners, by asserting fictitious nonsense, which carries falsehood on it’s face?⸺Let any one _view the forceps_, and then judge _whether_ it is _a GENTLE INSTRUMENT? it speaks it’s office!_—Let any one _view the crotchet_, crooked scissars, &c. sharp knives to be sure are instruments fit to be trusted in every hand! they pursue _healing_ measures! they never commit _murder_!

The writer was pleased to confine himself to what I said of the Hottentot women, because the heat of their climate was adapted to his purpose. I mentioned likewise “the wilds of America,” and the kingdoms of Scotland and Ireland. I fancy those countries are cold enough in winter.

He has quoted the practice of the Athenians as an example for our women. Though _Heathen virtues_ are great reproaches _on Christian vices_ (I should have said, on the vices of people who are only _Christians in name_, by outwardly professing what their lives are daily contradicting) yet I should imagine _no Heathen impurities_ ought to be admitted patterns against Christian virtues.—Our surgeons are better anatomists than the Athenians were; but I am afraid the Athenian men were better Christians, though they lived before the birth of our Saviour.

“But the women of quality _do so fall in love_ with their Doctors.”—I beg he will excuse me,—I _never_ supposed they FELL IN LOVE with THEIR MALE INSPECTOR. _The sensations_ which _Men-midwives_ give rise to, _deserve not_ the name which distinguishes _that NOBLE passion OF THE SOUL_.—_LOVE, allies us to our Divine Original, elevates our ideas to Heaven, and makes us emulous of worthy actions_! It’s signification is _scandalously perverted_, when used to describe _the impure_ gratifications of sense, which degrade us _below the brutes_!—_Love_, and _Virtue_, are _inseparable_. Love never inspires the human heart, but when _that heart is in pursuit of virtue_; when _vicious_ purposes _pollute_ the mind, _it’s end_ is _lust_.

“Has there ever been related an instance of so unnatural a connexion?” _Many_ where _it has been attempted_—_several_ where it has _succeeded_. Any person may buy the trial of Doctor Morley, where they will see that he was _convicted_, and _fined a thousand pounds_, for seducing Mrs. Biker. The poor woman accused the Doctor on her death-bed, and told the whole transaction. The Doctor pleaded to his friends “_the strength of the temptation, the frailty of nature_; and the impossibility of any man’s _resisting such powerful charms_.” He quitted his business; _the ladies_, however, _approved his conduct_,—it _RECOMMENDED him TO THEIR FAVOUR_, and _he was more employed than ever_! Doctor ⸺ was forced to feign madness to escape the rage of an injured husband, for having frightened his wife to death! She happened to be _a virtuous_, though _NOT a MODEST_, woman!—Count STRUENZY too was a Man-midwife.—Would he ever have dared to lift his eye, or breathe his infamous passion to a ⸺, if he had not been encouraged and _familiarized_ by the freedoms admitted by the profession of a Man-midwife? Certainly no. Whoever reads the news-papers of three years back, will find many paragraphs informing us of prosecutions of Men-midwives for crim. con.

“A man _never_ seen by them _but in their distress_, is sure most unlikely to become an object _of their desire_; nor can the ladies, however lovely in the bloom of health, be supposed _capable of retaining_ their attractions _in the hour of agony_.”—The writer knows that neither of these assertions are matters of fact. In regard to the first, _many women_ see their Men-midwives _in perfect health, to be informed if they are with child? How far gone?_ “Whether the child lies right?” and on many other PRETENCES.—Men and women, on _such trying_ occasions, _must give way to NATURE—there is no possibility of withstanding it_.—As to women’s _not_ being “_attractingly lovely_ when in labour,”—there he likewise must have been sensible that he erred from truth. Those pains _rather add_ to beauty; and though, _during the continuance of racking tortures, neither_ party can attend to any thing but the pains felt on one side, and the compassion which a good man must sympathize in on the other; yet _in the intervals_ (many there _always_ are, and _generally_ they are _long intervals_) _no uneasiness on either side_ leaves the minds _of both_ at liberty to entertain _other IDEAS_.

“And if he” (the Man-midwife) “is at all to answer for their conduct, is, I think, only to be reckoned with _FOR RECOVERING THEM so early_, and _SO PUTTING IT IN THEIR POWER TO go abroad_ and _COQUET IT the sooner_.”—The author is pleased to be _facetious with the ladies_! I do not at all wonder that _those men_ who have _such foundation_ for censuring their conduct, _presume thus_ to ridicule them for their eagerness to visit, in order to _receive the homage_ of their _criminal admirers_! I should have thought, however, that the subject was not of a nature which could authorize such indecent raillery. It verifies the old proverb, “_too much familiarity breeds contempt_.”

As to the assertion, that “the faculty employ men to their own wives”—I know very many instances to the contrary—and even _if this was otherwise_, it would be by no means conclusive. Men who have _such choice_ of fine women _to take the most licentious liberties_ with, most probably cannot remain long faithful to their own wives—they may therefore easily be supposed soon to become so indifferent about them, as to be very ready to suffer their own brethren to lay them, _by way of KEEPING UP THE FARCE_, and _blinding the world_. I take for granted however they permit _no private examinations_. They are too much in the secret.

The gentleman concludes with telling us a story of Dr. Ford’s having attended a poor woman for three days and nights, who had been ill used by a woman.⸺What then?—It only proves that Dr. Ford _is not destitute of humanity_, and _that there is ONE_ woman _who interfered with nature_, and _of course did mischief_.—I know he “is a favourite with many women of distinction”—but _those ladies BEST know HOW he has recommended himself to their favour_. Neither Dr. Ford, nor Dr. Hunter, can presume to affirm, that they never take the most intimate freedoms with ladies, when there is no chance for labour.⸺Indeed, the ladies make no secret of it—they now can submit to those examinations on the morning of an assembly, tell their company of it at dinner, and go to a tavern to supper!

And now, Mr. Printer, allow me _to take my leave of you, and the public on this theme_.—The unprejudiced will be convinced—at least it was this flattering, this most pleasing hope, that stimulated me to write on this subject.—I can have no sinister views—the conduct of the world will not interfere with my happiness—for I never will marry any woman, unless I know her sentiments correspond with mine. The public are now in possession of all I can think on the subject—The good sense of the people of England will decide how far my hints may conduce to their domestic happiness.—I leave _to other pens_ to proceed on it, _in answer to any writer who may enter the lists against me_. Whoever wishes to know my sentiments may review these three letters. I should be an hypocrite, if I attempted to conceal, that, as I took up my pen _for the benefit of the community_, so I shall be _most highly gratified_, if I hereafter find my time has been employed to purpose, in _opening the eyes of the thoughtless_, _informing the ignorant_, and _warning the virtuous_. I despair of shaming the immodest!

While I live, I shall think NO WOMAN MODEST who employs

A MAN-MIDWIFE.

[4] I take for granted, Old Chiron is a Man-midwife.