Nursing the English from Plague to Peterloo, 1665-1820

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Focusing on the evolution of nursing from 1660 to 1820, the book examines the roles of both women and men in caregiving before reform efforts began. It highlights domestic nursing by women, the history of St Bartholomew's Hospital, and the experiences of matrons at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. The narrative challenges stereotypes of pre-reform nurses as incompetent, presenting them as competent caregivers shaped by gender, status, and the realities of their work. Additionally, it explores the impact of wars on nursing practices and the complexities of male involvement in caregiving.