ABSTRACT
The middle of the century saw the invention of industrial machinery which was to revolutionise English, and later British, society. The ports grew and new cities emerged as industry expanded. Many large villages and towns were unaffected initially, but industrial growth created a shift in population from the country to manufacturing towns such as Manchester, Birmingham and Sheffield. Oxford and Cambridge Universities became less prestigious during this century as a result of academic decline and inactivity. Many men therefore went abroad to study medicine; their subsequent practice, certainly in midwifery, owed much to Dutch and French influences. Medical students were, however, still attracted to the Scottish Universities. During the eighteenth century at least nine hospitals became involved to a greater or lesser extent in the care of poor parturient women. This involvement varied from out-patient dispensary facilities and out-patient advice, to the provision by Charitable Institutions of midwives for the delivery and care of patients in their own homes.
