ABSTRACT
Families rather than physicians were the most important health care providers in colonial America. Most families relied on their female members to provide health care, and when additional help was necessary, they employed medically knowledgeable females from other families. The duties of these formally untrained, but typically wise and benevolent “nurses” generally focused on childcare, surrogate breastfeeding, birthing, and care of the ill. Midwives were a vital source of care for women in colonial times. Most came from England, where the Church of England granted licenses to practice. The increased dominance of men in the birthing process led many women to the field of nursing. Many became private duty nurses whose responsibilities were to tend to the sick at their bedside and provide both caring and curing services. With the end of the Civil War and the beginning of accelerated urbanization and industrialization, many families were separated geographically.
