Physician Discussions on Induced Abortions in the 19th Century

In the 19th century, there was a major push by physicians within the United States to replace outdated English common law with modern statutory laws in regards to induced abortions. Though the procedures were always illegal, many states courts interpreted common law as applying only from the quickening (~16-18 weeks gestation) onward; however, rapid scientific discoveries during the century had relegated to premise of the quickening to little more than pseudoscience.

This video progresses sequentially though time, presenting quotations by physicians regarding their disgust with induced abortions. The statements all appeared within medical textbooks or journals, and those making the statements often spoke as official representatives of medical associations that unanimously backed them.