Contributed by Lizette Royer Barton.
Lizette is the 38-weeks pregnant reference archivist at the Center. Being desperate for any shred of useful information to help with her impending labor and delivery and the subsequent keeping alive of a tiny human Lizette turned to the CHP’s book collection for guidance.
Pye Henry Chavaase’s (1810-1897) medical practice focused on women and children and he became well known for his popular medical books, including the title I selected for this edition of CHP’s Book of the Month series. The copy of Advice to a wife… here at the center was published in 1878 and the title page claimed it was the first American edition and the thirteenth edition overall. The book was originally published in London in 1839 and was translated into numerous European and Asian languages. This book was immensely popular and in fact, I discovered a “classic reprint” edition on Amazon that was published as recently as 2012.
Chavasse’s text is written as a numbered list of suggestions and helpful hints to get a woman through marriage, menstruation, pregnancy, labour, and suckling. And also helpful, the latter part of the book includes an additional text, Advice to a mother on the management of her children and on the treatment on the moment of some of their more pressing illness and accidents. Whew! This book has all of the bases covered!
Introduction
1. It may be well – before I enter on the subjects of menstruation, of pregnancy, of labour, and suckling- to offer a few preliminary observations, especially addressed to a Young Wife.
Well, I’m not exactly a young wife according to 1878 standards but I decided to flip through this introductory section anyways in the hopes of gathering a few gems.
45. Let her, if she can, live in the country; for “God made the country and man made the town.”
Super! I do live on a farm in a rural community so I guess I’ve got that going for me.
48. Rich and luxurious ladies are less likely to be blessed with a family than poor and hard-worked women. “Children are the poor man’s riches.”
Woohoo! Finally that big pay day I’ve been waiting for!
Part I: Menstruation
I glossed over this section. As a 33-year-old woman I consider myself well versed in this area.
Part II: Pregnancy
355. The longings of a pregnant lady are sometimes truly absurd….They long for suckling pig, for cracklings of pork…for anything that is unwholesome….
You got me Chavasse!
402. A lady who is pregnant is sometimes restless at night – she feels oppressed and hot.
Amen Chavasse. But your suggestions of lowering the sash of the window and enjoying cooling summer fruits aren’t exactly the helpful hints I was looking for.
Part III: Labour
640. When a woman marries later in life – for instance after she has passed the age of thirty – her first labor is usually much more lingering, painful, and tedious….
Uh oh.
726. As soon as she is settled in bed, there is nothing better than a basin of warm gruel.
Really? After creating and delivering human life the best thing I’ve got going is a basin of warm gruel?!
Part IV: Suckling
792 Ponder well, therefore, before it is too late…health of mother and health of babe, human life and human happiness are at stake and depend upon a true decision.
Sheesh Chavasse. You’re really applying the pressure when it comes to breast feeding. No worries. I don’t know any wet nurses anyways.
830. A moderate quantity either of fresh mild ale or porter will generally be found to be the best beverage for both dinner and supper. There is much more nourishment in either…for a nursing mother….
Okay Chavasse! Now you’re talking!
Dr. Pye Henry Chavasse covers a lot of ground in this book and as I’m sure you can see I only selected a few choice tidbits for this blog. His writing is frank and medical minded and was intended for a wide audience. I can certainly see how this book would have been helpful to women in search of sound medical advice during a time period we often associate with modesty and prudence.
Chavasse concludes by stating, “I fervently hope that this little book will…be to my fair reader, during her whole period of wifehood, a friend to her need, a guide to her difficulties, and a silent but safe counselor in all things pertaining to her health.” While I’m not exactly sure I’ll keep a copy on my bedside table an ice cold ale does sound pretty good right now.
Wish me luck folks. I’m about to be somebody’s mother.
