Caring and Curing : Historical Perspectives on Women and Healing in Canada

Abstract

This work is intended in part to remedy a traditional gender imbalance in the field of medical history by providing a work which takes into account the experiences of women healers. Overall themes highlight the contribution of those studied, and the gendered division of labour which has historically existed in the field of medicine. Gender conflict is also an important theme. Contributors note that the contributions of men and women in health care are likely to differ on the basis of gender, and that male health care workers are often antagonistic to women's work in these areas, frequently seeking to dominate traditionally female spheres such as obstetrics or public health. Issues of professionalization and skill are particularly important, and are shown to have been often interpreted in different ways on the basis of gender. The gendered nature of medical education, as well as issues confronting patients, particularly relating to working class parents, are also touched upon briefly.