Manchester University Press Nursing the English 1660-1820 - Manchester University Press

Explore the complex history of healthcare in 'Nursing the English from plague to Peterloo, 1660-1820'. Part of the Nursing History and Humanities series, this book examines the reality of caregiving during a transformative era. It investigates the negative stereotypes often directed at women working as sick nurses and compares these perceptions with the actual lived experiences of both domestic and institutional staff. This study provides a unique perspective by integrating the role of men in nursing into the broader history of care. It reveals how caregiving remained a constant, though often unrecognized, presence throughout this period. The text demonstrates that both men and women performed their duties to the best of their abilities, often succeeding despite social pressures and threats to their reputations based on gender and status. Readers will gain a deep understanding of how nursing functioned across different settings. The book covers essential environments including nursing within the home, work in general hospitals, and roles within specialist institutions. It is an essential resource for those interested in the social history of medicine and the evolution of professional caregiving.