Bernardino Ramazzini and women workers' health in the second half of the XVIIth century

Abstract

In the second half of the XVIIth century, pre-industrial society made extensive use of women's work. In his treatise, Diseases of Workers, published in 1700, Bernardino Ramazzini explored health conditions of women employed in different production sectors, describing their health problems and providing advice and remedies. This paper aims at reviewing his observations for women employed in different occupations, entailing exposure to dangerous materials and ergonomically challenging works.