Women's Health in Britain and America: Texts and Contexts offers an unparalleled record of
women's health in the United Kingdom and the United States since 1750. Through chapters on
pregnancy and childbirth contraception and abortion and breast and gynecological cancers
today's readers can better understand historical precedents for contemporary issues.
Introductory overviews present context about the history of medical care for women such as
diagnosis and treatment of specific conditions medical advances social and political contexts
and the effects of these on their lived experiences. The book presents a collection of primary
texts including archival memoirs letters and diaries as well as published fiction poetry
and medical advice. Women's Health in Britain and America provides the necessary background for
those new to the subject while also offering unique texts that will engage those already
immersed in the field. As the political and social discussions around women's bodies become
more contentious and consequential the history and the multiplicity of voices presented on
these pages are more important than ever.
