The Burning of Dr. Wertt 1522 – Punishment for a Secret Scientific Observation

Although male midwives became common in the West in the 18th century as men began to control the medical profession, earlier taboos that kept men away from childbirth played an important role in medical history. No story better illustrates the early gender taboo surrounding midwifery than the punishment of Dr. Wertt of Hamburg. In 1522, Dr. Wertt disguised himself as a woman so that he could observe the birth process and learn firsthand how to deliver babies. Unfortunately, men entering the birthing room was unthinkable at the time. A midwife recognized Wertt in women's clothing and raised cries of protest. Wertt was burned at the stake as other doctors watched.

Several other stories also illustrate the gender taboo. In 1646, Francis Rayus of Wells, Massachusetts, was arrested for an offense similar to Wertt's. Fortunately, Rayus's punishment was only a fine of 50 shillings. In 1658, the English physician Percival Willoughby wanted to consult with a midwife about a difficult delivery and had to enter the patient's darkened room, examine her while she remained covered, and go back outside to discuss the situation with the midwife. Also, in 1762, John Hunter, a Scottish surgeon considered one of the most distinguished surgeons of his time, had to sit in an adjoining room while Mrs. Stevens attended the wife of George III (King of England) to deliver George IV.

At different times in history and in many cultures, husbands have customarily withdrawn from the birth process. For example, on Lukunor, an island in the South Pacific, men leave for a month and stay with other men when their wives go into labor. On the other hand, men have sometimes been more involved. Among Mexico's Huichol tribe, a cord was supposedly tied around the husband's testicles. During labor, the cord was pulled with each of the woman's contractions so that he would share her pain.

Description of the article image: A woman giving birth in a birthing chair, by the German physician Eucharius Rösslin (1470–1526). His childbirth book Der Rosengarten (The Rose Garden), published in 1513, became a standard medical text for midwives.

Historical figures mentioned in the article: Percival Willoughby (1632–1669), John Hunter (1728–1793), George III (George William Frederick; 1738–1820), George IV (George Augustus Frederick; 1762–1830)

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