BOOK REVIEW

Abstract

G Chamberlain. From Witchcraft to Wisdom: History of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the British Isles. London: RCOG Press, 2007. ISBN 978-1-904752-14-1. Price: GBP 75.00. The title reveals the contents, but belies the fact that so much of British obstetrics and gynecology shaped the way we understand health and disease in womens’ reproductive organs, and indeed the way we practise all over the world. Superbly illustrated and with many of the small anecdotes which only an author, who combines eloquence and wit with a deep-rooted knowledge and experience, can provide, – in many cases probably first-hand from those who shaped obstetric and gynecologic history in the last century. The ancient civilisations around the Mediterranean, from which modern medicine came, gave obstetrics a certain grounding. From there the story moves via the secrecy attitudes of the Chamberlens and their first usable forceps, to great contributors, such as William Hunter, William Smellie, James Young Simpson and many others, and this is superbly recounted. Those forerunners emerged from the middle ages to an enlightenment of learning and discovery, but grappled also with the problem of enabling women to survive childbirth and saving babies, where before this had not been possible. Gynecology was more diversified but also had its great pioneers, such as Victor Bonney, and in family planning, Marie Stopes. A growing international outlook is mentioned, where improvements on Continental and American techniques were made, while new procedures and treatment modalities were invented to deal with the dreadful conditions that still affect so many women in developing countries. The book illustrates well the plight of women when childbirth was fatal or could make them living wrecks, such as the vesicovaginal fistula sufferers, but also relates the foundation and establishment of the principles of antenatal and clinical care. A logical milestone in this development was the universal health service established in Britain, and around the same time also in the Nordic countries, to provide improved accessibility to care for all. The elucidation of key issues in the physiology of pregnancy also occurred largely in the British Isles, as well as the later advent of ultrasound, modern laparoscopic surgery and reproductive medicine. It is a fantastic story of success. Professor Chamberlain is hereby applauded for this work. However, there are a few drawbacks. Perhaps the gynecologic story could have benefitted from being more comprehensive, and the reader is sometimes left wanting more detail. But the lay-out and illustrations make it a pleasure to sit with this book in one's hands. All those with an interest in the history of the speciality should consider acquiring this book. In the Scandinavian/Nordic countries it might perhaps inspire a team of our many fine seniors to come together and produce the history of obstetrics and gynecology in the Nordic countries. Our pioneers were many and the memory of their times and work deserve to have a light of this type shone on their legacy.