Much of gynaecology was built on surgical experiments conducted on enslaved African women. These procedures were done by Doctor James Marion Sims, who has been called the "father of modern gynaecology". His legacy lives on today with the Sims position, the speculum and the surgical technique to treat vaginal fistula. So how to reconcile that history with what happened to those young women, with the advances in gynaecology?

Got a question or comment? Email us at: mistreatedpodcast@tvo.org

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Research links:

"Father of Modern Gynaecology" J. Marion Sims: https://www.history.com/articles/the-father-of-modern-gynecology-performed-shocking-experiments-on-slaves

https://www.npr.org/2016/02/16/466942135/remembering-anarcha-lucy-and-betsey-the-mothers-of-modern-gynecology

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/cancer-detectives-brief-history-speculum/

https://news.berkeley.edu/2020/02/17/historian-uncovers-gynecologys-brutal-roots-in-slavery/#:~:text=James%20Marion%20Sims%2C%20who%20was,same%20capacity%20as%20white%20men

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2023/03/how-lucy-betsey-and-anarcha-became-foremothers-of-gynecology/

Operating on poor Irish women: https://ugapress.manifoldapp.org/read/medical-bondage/section/403f560a-7f2d-4def-8bdf-a5767588b78b

https://www.healthinnowest.net/news/join-the-movement-to-rename-the-sims-speculum/

First record of use of anesthesia: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26828088/#:~:text=Abstract,labor%20and%20recovery%20from%20surgery.

The pain these women suffered: https://drjengunter.com/2017/09/08/dr-sims-built-a-lab-and-experimented-on-enslaved-women-take-down-his-statues

Documentary on Anarcha: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjLL-fEj0fw

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11682838/ https://www.ogmagazine.org.au/23/4-23/lucys-legacy-why-sims-speculum-needs-a-different-name

https://www.npr.org/2018/04/22/604789513/controversial-statue-of-19th-century-gynecologist-removed-from-central-park

https://archives.icahn.mssm.edu/disappearing-hospitals-where-did-they-go-womans-hospital

Much of gynaecology was built on surgical experiments conducted on enslaved African women. These procedures were done by Doctor James Marion Sims, who has been called the "father of modern gynaecology". His legacy lives on today with the Sims position, the speculum and the surgical technique to treat vaginal fistula. So how to reconcile that history with what happened to those young women, with the advances in gynaecology?
Got a question or comment? Email us at: <a href="mailto:mistreatedpodcast@tvo.org">mistreatedpodcast@tvo.org</a>
If you, or someone you know, is struggling with mental health, visit any of the following resources for support: Canada.ca/mental-health
Kids Help Phone Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868.
The Government of Ontario's Mental Health Support Resources: <a href="https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-mental-health-support">https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-mental-health-support</a>
Follow TVO on social: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/theagenda">https://www.youtube.com/theagenda</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mistreatedtvo">https://www.instagram.com/mistreatedtvo</a>
Join our newsletter: <a href="https://www.tvo.org/newsletters">https://www.tvo.org/newsletters</a>
Visit the TVO Today website for current affairs journalism, documentaries and podcasts: <a href="https://www.tvo.org">https://www.tvo.org</a>
Research links:
"Father of Modern Gynaecology" J. Marion Sims:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.history.com/articles/the-father-of-modern-gynecology-performed-shocking-experiments-on-slaves">https://www.history.com/articles/the-father-of-modern-gynecology-performed-shocking-experiments-on-slaves</a>
<a href="https://www.npr.org/2016/02/16/466942135/remembering-anarcha-lucy-and-betsey-the-mothers-of-modern-gynecology">https://www.npr.org/2016/02/16/466942135/remembering-anarcha-lucy-and-betsey-the-mothers-of-modern-gynecology</a>
<a href="https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/cancer-detectives-brief-history-speculum/">https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/cancer-detectives-brief-history-speculum/</a>
<a href="https://news.berkeley.edu/2020/02/17/historian-uncovers-gynecologys-brutal-roots-in-slavery/#:~:text=James%20Marion%20Sims%2C%20who%20was,same%20capacity%20as%20white%20men">https://news.berkeley.edu/2020/02/17/historian-uncovers-gynecologys-brutal-roots-in-slavery/#:~:text=James%20Marion%20Sims%2C%20who%20was,same%20capacity%20as%20white%20men</a>
<a href="https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2023/03/how-lucy-betsey-and-anarcha-became-foremothers-of-gynecology/">https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2023/03/how-lucy-betsey-and-anarcha-became-foremothers-of-gynecology/</a>
Operating on poor Irish women: <a href="https://ugapress.manifoldapp.org/read/medical-bondage/section/403f560a-7f2d-4def-8bdf-a5767588b78b">https://ugapress.manifoldapp.org/read/medical-bondage/section/403f560a-7f2d-4def-8bdf-a5767588b78b</a>
<a href="https://www.healthinnowest.net/news/join-the-movement-to-rename-the-sims-speculum/">https://www.healthinnowest.net/news/join-the-movement-to-rename-the-sims-speculum/</a>
First record of use of anesthesia: <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26828088/#:~:text=Abstract,labor%20and%20recovery%20from%20surgery">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26828088/#:~:text=Abstract,labor%20and%20recovery%20from%20surgery</a>.
The pain these women suffered: <a href="https://drjengunter.com/2017/09/08/dr-sims-built-a-lab-and-experimented-on-enslaved-women-take-down-his-statues/">https://drjengunter.com/2017/09/08/dr-sims-built-a-lab-and-experimented-on-enslaved-women-take-down-his-statues</a>
Documentary on Anarcha: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjLL-fEj0fw">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjLL-fEj0fw</a>
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11682838/&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ogmagazine.org.au/23/4-23/lucys-legacy-why-sims-speculum-needs-a-different-name">https://www.ogmagazine.org.au/23/4-23/lucys-legacy-why-sims-speculum-needs-a-different-name</a>
<a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/04/22/604789513/controversial-statue-of-19th-century-gynecologist-removed-from-central-park">https://www.npr.org/2018/04/22/604789513/controversial-statue-of-19th-century-gynecologist-removed-from-central-park</a>
<a href="https://archives.icahn.mssm.edu/disappearing-hospitals-where-did-they-go-womans-hospital">https://archives.icahn.mssm.edu/disappearing-hospitals-where-did-they-go-womans-hospital</a>

(MIS)Treated, a TVO podcast, explores how medicine has – and still is – failing women and speaks to the people looking to make a difference. Join host Nam Kiwanuka to hear real life stories and expert interviews on how the mistreatment and misdiagnosis of women affects us all.

(MIS)Treated, a TVO podcast, explores how medicine has &ndash; and still is &ndash; failing women and speaks to the people looking to make a difference. Join host Nam Kiwanuka to hear real life stories and expert interviews on how the mistreatment and misdiagnosis of women affects us all.