This book; the first to describe women medical practitioners other than midwives in the colonial period; emphasizes that medical care was part of every woman's work. Using memorable anecdotes; engaging characters; and medical oddities; The Healer's Calling tells the fascinating story of the practice of household medicine in early America. Rebecca J. Tannenbaum points out that housewives provided much of the medical care available in the seventeenth century. Elite women cared for the indigent in their towns and used medical practice to make influential connections with powerful men; "doctresses" or "doctor women" supported themselves with their practices and competed directly with male physicians; and midwives were crucial "expert witnesses" in cases of fornication; murder; and witchcraft. Yet there were limits to the authority of women's healing communities; with consequences for those who overstepped the bounds.By setting women's practice in the context of contemporary medicine; gender roles; and community norms; Tannenbaum also reveals the relationship between women's medical practice and witchcraft accusations. Tannenbaum examines colonial America's full range of medical options―including the work of classically trained male doctors and male lay practitioners―with a keen eye to the interactions and tensions between men and women in the realm of healing.
#3032183 in Books Cornell University Press 2001-06-28Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.80 x .68 x 5.78l; .72 #File Name: 0801438349192 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Jeremy F. ConnerVery interesting fitting and in good condition1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A good overviewBy DAJIn this book; which is apparently a revision or replacement of a 1960s book by François Daumas; Traunecker provides sort of a middle ground in French treatments of Egyptian deities: breezier than Gods and Men in Egypt; less flamboyant than Daily Life of the Egyptian Gods. The first chapter discusses the sources that we use to understand Egyptian beliefs and gives a short description of how that understanding has evolved over the centuries. Traunecker makes clear a couple of points that I frequently harp on myself: that 19th and early 20th-century scholars aren't good sources on Egyptian religion; and that modern understanding of the subject began with Henri Frankfort. The next several chapters discuss the Egyptian conception of the world; the nature of the gods and the forms they were believed to take; the "society" formed by the gods' relationships to each other; and how they functioned within the cosmos. The next chapter briefly describes how the gods were thought to interact with humans; and the last chapter discusses deities' geographical spheres of influence; including the relationship between certain gods and lands outside Egypt. In a few places; Traunecker relates anecdotes about the deities that don't often show up in other sources. This book isn't as complete in its coverage as several others on the subject; but it's both thoughtful and readable.9 of 10 people found the following review helpful. Exceptional short book by one of the bestBy A CustomerI have always considered Traunecker's work to be of the highest quality. He has an insight into the mechanics of ancient Egyptian cosmologies; theologies; and mythologies that is both direct and free of unnecessary random (and rambling) thought. His assessments are clinical but always interesting; and his work on the El Qa'la temple site is NOT to be missed by anyone who can get their hands on IFAO's pub. Be that as it may; this short book packs a scholarly punch. All of Traunecker's hard-earned; on-site assessments of the gods of ancient Egypt -- their cults; qualities; relevance; and destinies -- can be found in rather tidy; enlightening fashion. A must-have quick reference for many of its tidbits...though Dr. Traunecker does contradict at least one or two minor points he previously asserted in some of his published work. Bottom line -- Immortals (and Immortalettes) of Ancient Egypt from one of the best pros in the business! Get it.
