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Extracts from baptismal register of St Andrew's Scottish Presbyterian Church, 1864-81: page 1 [image 1 of 2]
  • This essay was written by Dr Richard Williams, a surgeon in Great Darkgate Street, Aberystwyth and its full title reads 'Observations on parturition amongst the poor in the upper district of Cardiganshire'. Dr Williams begins his essay by giving a brief account of the history of Wales and the county of Cardiganshire before going on describe, in fascinating detail, not only the ways in which women gave birth but also their courting habits and living conditions. He is very critical of the moral standards of the peasantry but is more tolerant of some of their customs. Further background information on Dr Richard Williams, as well as a full transcript of the essay, is provided in Emyr Wyn Jones, 'Medical Glimpse of Early Nineteenth Century Cardiganshire, 'National Library of Wales Journal' (1966), pp. 253-275. The first page reads as follows:
An essay on childbirth amongst the poor of north Cardiganshire, c. 1837, folio 1r [image 1 of 23]
  • Thomas William was the son of William and Mary Jane Lewis. He was born on 31 December 1888 in Hughesovka, Russia, where William Lewis was working as a steel smelter. His birth was registered with the British Consulate General at Odessa in January 1889.
Birth certificate of Thomas William Lewis, born in Hughesovka in 1888
  • Transcription: I believe that Drudgery the female sex have been called upon to undergo arose from the real want of population and the few hands there were to cultivate the soil, happily these remains of uncouth servitude are fast wearing away. It does not appear than any particular differences exists as to the Duration or Difficulty of the Labors with regard to the Welch Women. Some labors are long and lingering, others are laborious, others are quick and short and very painful for the time, few very few require the aid of Instruments or even of manual assistance of any kind. I have noticed the Presentation of the left arm in three successive labors in the same woman who had before borne many children with the Head presentation and has done so since. The Nates presented in Three Succesive labors in the same woman and as the children were large and full grown they did not survive...
An essay on childbirth amongst the poor of north Cardiganshire, c. 1837, folio 17r [image 10 of 23]
  • Transcription: ...the Delivery tho every precaution was taken. I have noticed the feet and breech to present very frequently in premature labors and the child has then been often born alive and lived. Twin cases have been much more frequent in some years than in others but I have only heard of one case of Triplets in Aberystwyth since the year 1819, and one in the Country and one in Towyn Meirioneth. As this Country is thinly populated there are fewer resident Medical Men than in England and there fore the Attendance during the Labor generally devolves on some old woman who acts as Midwife and is to be found in almost every Village. In her absence the woman who has had most children officiates and when the case proves unusually tedious assistance is called from the nearest source. During the progress of Labor the Patients are kept too hot and are allowed to have large Potations of Gin and Water and I can here bear testimony to the impunity with which Spirituous liquors may be administrated during labor, accelerating...
An essay on childbirth amongst the poor of north Cardiganshire, c. 1837, folio 19r [image 11 of 23]
  • Transcription: ...and increasing both the strength and frequency of the pains while a very small quantity afterwards would be attended with the most dangerous consequences. It is in the latter stages of labor that spririts are more particularly useful. I do not mean to advocate the indiscriminate use of spirits but merely to say that I have repeatedly known very large quantities of Gin and Rum to be given to women in labor without being followed by any bad effects. After the Labor the Midwife or Nurse administers a Bason of Caudle composed of Gruel Spices and too often of Gin on the second day a Purgative salts, senna or Castor oil is given and the Child put to the Breast tho' this is too often delayed till the Milk fever comes on - indeed generally speaking the child is not put ot the Breast till the Milk comes. Immediately after birth the Infant is made to swallow some butter and sugar or Butter and Gruel.
An essay on childbirth amongst the poor of north Cardiganshire, c. 1837, folio 21r [image 12 of 23]