1849 a female surgeon is a rarity and Dr Nora Gibson has to fight her way through the suspicious, wary and downright ferocious male fraternity to earn her place. On top of that she has to fight the opposition of her own sex, who do not think being a surgeon is a proper job for a woman. Annoying and upsetting the upper echelons of society is a thing to be avoided at all costs, because funding for everything is dependent on those who have the money and Nora does not seem to be dealing with them well.
The onset of a cholera epidemic, striking first the poorer sections of society and then creeping its way to the richer parts of the city affect the small coterie of doctors who support Nora. Her being pregnant does not help matters both with her husband who is hurt that she hid the fact and continued to work, and with his immediate family who cut ties with her and her husband over this.
The story highlights the limitations of the medical profession in the 19th century and the lack of scientific knowledge on the part of doctors who wanted to keep the community closed both physically and scientifically to new methods and fresh ideas. The need to make money prevented many of them from seeking help from midwives, who had experience and knowledge far in excess of doctors who treated a few dozen patients only. The practice of bleeding was still being promoted and it was sheer luck that there were less fatalities than could be expected. The levels of hygiene amongst the poor was abysmal and no surprise that death rates were so high. The levels of hygiene of indifference to the poor was startling except for a few charities who tried to make a difference. Much more could definitely have been done.
An eye opener of a read. History, lifestyle and an evaluation of social mores at the time.
Sent by Sourcebooks Landmark for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.
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