Maternity Attendance in the County of Bourke, Melbourne, Victoria, 1848-1880
In a field of work that was largely unregulated until 1915, evidence that highlights the context of maternity attendance and midwifery practice is thin. In this presentation, I will highlight sources of evidence that offer a window on this intensely private realm and discuss the limitations of that evidence. Focussing on examples of practice in the County of Bourke during the years 1849-1879, inclusive, I will discuss what the available evidence tells us about maternity attendance in mid-nineteenth century Victoria.