When abortion was a crime

Description

This is the first book to examine the entire period during which abortion was illegal in the United States, beginning in the mid-nineteenth century and ending with Roe v. Wade in 1973. In her eloquent account, Leslie J. Reagan uncovers the secret history of abortion in America. Although illegal, millions of abortions were provided during these years to women of every class, race, and marital status. The experiences and perspectives of these women, along with their families, physicians, and midwives, are movingly portrayed in this prize-winning book. Reagan's analysis of previously untapped sources, including inquest records and trial transcripts, reveals the fragility of patient rights and raises provocative questions about the relationship between medicine and law.

First Sentence

home and the medical office.

Excerpt

home and the medical office.

Subjects

Other Editions

• When abortion was a crime: women, medicine and law in the United States, 1867-1973University of California Press1997-01-01
• When Abortion Was a CrimeUniversity of California Press1997-01-01
• When abortion was a crimeUniversity of California Press1997-01-01
• When Abortion Was a CrimeUniversity of California Press1997-01-01
• When Abortion Was a CrimePaperbackUniversity of California Press1998-09-21
• When Abortion Was a CrimeUniversity of California Press2022-01-01