Week 9 (Female Health and Healers) Flashcards
(18 cards)
Female Health in the HC
Gyn Treatises:
- Amenorrhoea (absence of menstruation)
- Menorrhagia (heavy bleeding)
- Uterine complaints
- Sterility (fumigation)
Exotic ingredients & excremental substances (Desckapotheke)
Plants used in ritual purification
Menstrual blood = “dirty” (treat dirt w/ dirt)
Dirt = magical power
Simile Similibus (treating like w/ like)
Ex: squirting cucumber to expel afterbirth
Fertility, Childbirth, Contraception, Abortion
Fertility = Key concern (give your husband an Heir)
Childbirth = Dangerous
“The sort of thing women say to each other” (Nature of the Child)
Contraception = Common knowledge
Abortions = Still controversial, but widely used
What is Silphium?
Ancient Plan B
Most common contraceptive
Aristophanes’ Knights: “Silphium was so cheap”
Pliny the Elder (1st c CE): Becoming scarce
3rd-4th c CE: Extinct
Contraceptives & Abortifacients
Pennyroyal (Aristophanes’ Peace)
Pomegranate (Rape of Persephone, Serranus, Indian & folk medicine)
Soranus’ Methods:
Vaginal suppositories
Oral contraceptives
Exercise
Warned against them: Harmful side effects (stomach issues, congestion)
Poorer women relied on herbs vs. refined medicine
Exercise as a contraceptive?
The Lacedaemonian Leap (jumping until “seed” falls out)
Oath vs. Reality (Abortions)
Unclear circumstances for abortion (danger)
Religious distinction:
Fetus develops = soul develops (Aristotle)
Early-stage = No religious/legal consequence
Legal interest of father
Physicians risk consequences if abortion fails
Legal Matters regarding abortions
Reputation of physicians at risk
Roman law = clearer
Child protection post-registration (tribe, community, polis)
Lysias’ case: Wife accused of homicide for abortion (violated husband’s rights)
Punishments: Death, exile, mines, property loss
Harming a pregnant mother → legal consequences for physician
Pregnancy & Conception
Medical texts focus on transformation:
Parthenos (child) → Gyne (wife)
Limited knowledge:
Womb + vagina = connected
No knowledge of ovaries/fallopian tubes
Womb myths:
Multiple pouches = Twins (like animal litters)
Best conception time:
After period, when clean, happy, well-fed
Fertility & Female Role in Generation
Factors:
Family history, regular menses
Soranus’ advice:
Ask bride about her periods
Predominant theory: Pangenesis
- Male & female contribute seed
- Stronger seed = male, weaker seed = female
- Men’s seed: From entire body, weakens after ejaculation
Soranus’ misogyny: If a woman miscarries, it’s her fault
Sex Differentiation
Varying explanations;
- Mother usually blamed
Pangenesis theory:
Most seed from a certain body part = baby’s sex
Right testicle dropping first = male
Weird beliefs:
Womb’s side, sagging breasts, miscarriages
Pregnancy Timing & Dangerous Periods
Pregnancy length: (7-10 months)
7 mo = best survival
8 mo = least chance
10 mo = harder, usually girls
Fetal development:
Aristotle: 40 days (m), 90 days (f)
HC: 30 days (m), 42 days (f)
7th Month:
Fetus moves → miscarriage risk
First 40 days = dangerous
8th Month:
Embryo descends → discomfort
Last 40 days = labor pains
Midwives (sources and Training)
Sources:
Funeral epitaphs, reliefs, monuments, physician writings
Training:
Plato (5th c BCE): Elderly women/mothers beyond childbearing age = midwives
Learned via: Attending births, experience, herbal remedies
Ideal Midwife (Male Perspective)
Traits:
Clear-headed, well-trained, good memory, reassuring
Slim fingers, trimmed nails
Literate (not universal)
Texts for study? Good socioeconomic standing?
Midwives in Greece vs. Rome
Roman: Slaves & freedwomen
Greek: More elite, learned from physician families
Tasks:
Tend to pregnant women
Preserve health
Prevent miscarriage
Assist labor & delivery
Assess infant health
Childbirth Process
Preparation:
Olive oil, warm water, sponges, bandages
Birthing stool (supports mother & midwife)
Position:
Sitting upright on stool
Two beds, proper room
Assistants:
2 hold mother
1 passes instruments
Midwives:
No kneeling (undignified)
Avoid looking at genitals (mother may “contract out of shame”)
Use warm olive oil, dilate w/ short-nailed finger, direct breathing
Text 9: Menstruation & Imbalance
Menstrual flow irregularities = Disease
Light/heavy flow → risk of infertility
Frequent intercourse/overindulgence →
Heavy flow
Menstrual blood = “polluted” → needs cleansing
Text 10: Uterine Disorders & Treatments
“Uterus attacks itself, causing pain”
If untreated → Fertility issues
Remedies:
Fumigation: Sweet-smelling oil on uterus & nostrils
For pain: Celery, kohl, goose fat → apply vaginally
Wealthy women used sweet oils (expensive, time-consuming treatment)
Medical Tools & C-Sections
Vaginal Speculum (Dioptra):
2 dovetailing valves, screw mechanism
Soranus: First to mention speculum use
Bronze = Rare surviving instrument
C-Sections:
Always fatal for mother
Child survival = Rare
Some African cultures had successful C-sections
