RT Journal
T1 Life begins: Childbirth in lore and in literature
JF Journal of the American Medical Association
JO Journal of the American Medical Association
YR 1935
FD October 5
VO 105
IS 14
SP 1142
OP 1142
DO 10.1001/jama.1935.02760400058034
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1935.02760400058034
AB In this book the author presents a large variety of peculiar ideas and supersititions about childbirth. Most of these ideas are ancient but, as the author demonstrates, a few of them persist to the present day. Most of these superstitions appear ludicrous and are amusing, but even today some semicivilized peoples regard them as truths. The author shows the fallacies of most of them. He also quotes discussions of these ideas that have appeared in the literature among different races of mankind and at different periods of history. The book should prove interesting and entertaining to persons who are not familiar with the myths of childbirth.