[Obstetrics--a women's discipline for men]

Abstract

In recent years there has been a considerable increase in the number of female gynaecologists in Norway. This contrasts sharply with the difficulties pioneering Norwegian female physicians had in entering this specialty. Three generations ago, leading Norwegian physicians argued against female gynaecologists. This article describes the controversy in 1914 when Dr. Louise Isachsen (1875-1932) claimed discrimination when she was not appointed senior registrar at the National Hospital's Midwifery Clinic. Her case was fiercely debated, not only in the medical profession, but also in newspapers and in Parliament. The clinic's director, Professor Kristian Brandt (1859-1932), found women unsuited for operative gynaecology and emergency obstetrics. We compare his arguments against female physicians with the requirements for Norwegian midwives, all female at the time. Brandt himself played a crucial role in formulating these requirements through his teaching and textbooks.