ABSTRACT
Howcouldthemalemidwifeputhisbestfaceforwardinthelying-inchamber? Fran<;:oisMauriceauponderedthisquestioninhisobstetricaltreatiseof1668,Des maladiesdesfemmesgrossesetaccouchees,noting:
Intheend,however,theFrenchpractitionerdisapprovedofthedishevelledsurgeon, claiminghewouldonlylooklikeabutcher.Hearguedthatmen-midwivesshould displayanagreeableappearance,beinghealthy,strong,robust,andsoberinorderto avoidfrighteningthose'poorwomen'whorequiredsurgicalinterventionin childbirth.2Mauriceauwasclearlymoreconcernedwithappealingtowomenthan reassuringtheirhusbands.Atthesametime,hisdiscussionrevealstheanomalous requirementofthemalemidwifetolookdependabletohisclientswithoutevoking asenseofseductiveallureinthefemalerealmofthebirthingroom.
