Complete Record - Heirs of Hippocrates No. 997.5

WILLIAM GIFFARD (-1731) Cases in midwifery. Printed for B. Motte, T. Wotton, and L. Gilliver, in Fleet-Street, and J. Nourse, without Temple-Bar 1734 First edition. xxxii, 520 pages : 3 folded plates. 21 cm.

First edition of the first book in English to contain significant contributions to clinical midwifery. “Giffard’s cases are examples of practical procedures; and most of the difficult situations are described with such clearness as to preclude misunderstanding…[He] may be regarded as the first obstetrician to publish substantial contributions to clinical midwifery. His wise management of difficult cases, including careful use of forceps, marked a distinct advance in the practice of midwifery” (Cutter and Viets, Short history of midwifery, 19, 22). Case 14 includes the first published use of the Chamberlen forceps. Among the unusual cases described in this book is an ectopic pregnancy.

Cited references: Morton, 6156.3; Waller, 3534; Wellcoem III, p. 114

John Martin, M.D. Endowment