Elinor Cleghorn, author of 'Unwell Women: A Journey Through Medicine and Myth in a Man-Made World', returns to discuss the evolution and societal implications of hysterectomies. She highlights the surgery's grim history, including a woman's brave self-hysterectomy and the troubling legacy of coercive practices. Elinor sheds light on the historical control of women's bodies through medical intervention and the importance of informed consent, emphasizing the need for autonomy in reproductive healthcare.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
First Successful Ovarian Cystectomy
Dr. Ephraim McDowell performed the first successful ovorectomy in 1809.
Jane Todd Crawford, the patient, had a 22-pound ovarian tumor removed.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Early Hysterectomy Documentation
Soranus, a Greek physician in ancient Rome, documented an early hysterectomy.
The procedure was performed due to a prolapse, likely resulting in the patient's death.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Wandering Womb Theory
Ancient Greeks believed in the "wandering womb" theory.
This theory attributed all female illnesses to the uterus moving around the body.
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Elinor Cleghorn's "Unwell Women" meticulously traces the history of gender bias in medicine, revealing how women's health concerns have been systematically misunderstood and dismissed throughout the ages. From ancient Greece's 'wandering womb' theory to the misogynistic practices of 19th-century gynecologists, the book exposes the deep-seated prejudices that have shaped medical approaches to women's bodies and minds. Cleghorn's personal journey with misdiagnosis adds a powerful layer to the narrative, highlighting the ongoing impact of these historical biases. The book serves as a critical examination of the medical establishment and a call for a more equitable and patient-centered approach to healthcare. Ultimately, it empowers women to advocate for their own health and challenge the ingrained assumptions that continue to affect their well-being.
Today, it is one of the most commonly performed surgeries. But when was the hysterectomy, the removal of the uterus, first performed? How has this procedure interacted with ideas such as femininity and eugenics? And WHY would a very brave woman perform this surgery on herself?
Kate is joined Betwixt the Sheets with returning guest, Dr Elinor Cleghorn. Elinor is the author of 'Unwell Women: A Journey Through Medicine and Myth in a Man-Made World'.
This episode was edited by Tom Delargy and produced by Sophie Gee. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.
If you'd like to get in touch with the show you can contact us at betwixt@historyhit.com.
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