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History of Abortion - What Is the History of Abortion?
from:Abortion is not a new concept. In fact, abortion has been around for hundreds of years. The history of abortion begins with the ancient Greeks and Romans, and, of course, continues even today.
Early abortions were performed in rather frightening and unscientific ways. These ways primarily dealt with herbs – dubbed “abortifacient” – sharp objects, and even by placing severe pressure on the expecting mother’s abdomen.
Abortifacient herbs were used for hundreds of years, and some people still use them today, although this is not recommended because of the possibility of physical danger to the woman. These herbs were also not guaranteed to work, and sometimes the user would get ill, but the herbs would fail to cause an abortion.
In the 11th century, a missal on herbal remedies was written, and in it were listed the herbs that can cause abortion; thus the beginning of abortifacient herbs in the history of abortion.
Herbs listed in this book were black and white hellbore, pennyroyal, Italian catnip, sage, savory, cyperus, and soapwort. Of these, recently there are two cases of death caused by pennyroyal.
Other herbs such as birthwort, rue, tansy, opium, worm fern, and silphium (which is now extinct) were also used. Some people even used iron sulphate and iron chloride.
Some of the most interesting remedies used herbs that modern people use everyday, sometimes even in food: egg, dill, marjoram, thyme, parsley, lavender and juniper.
The history of abortion continues with the development of current methods of abortion. The curette, which is a sharp implement used to clean the walls of the uterus, was initially invented in France in the 18th century.
The process of dilation and curettage has been used since the 19th century.
Vacuum-type implements were developed in the 19th century, but were only used in Japan, China, and the former Soviet Union until the mid-20th century when the process was introduced in the United States and Britain. In the late 20th century, drugs like mifepristone were developed to chemically produce an abortion.
The legal history of abortion is somewhat complicated. Abortion laws established by the church in early times concentrated on the point in the pregnancy called the “quickening”. This term commonly referred to the time when the expectant mother can feel the baby move for the first time.
After the quickening, abortion was considered taboo, and was considered illegal.
Between the 18th and 19th centuries, clergymen, doctors, and others interested in social reforms began to make movements to ban abortion altogether.
In The 20th century however, legalization of abortion were made in most Western countries. But this was, and still is, subject of great debate and controversy.
In the United States, abortion during the first trimester (or the first 12 weeks) of pregnancy was deemed legal by the Supreme Court in 1973 in the famous court case Roe vs. Wade, beginning a new phase in the history of abortion.
Abortion Specific links
Abortion News
Anti-abortion Rep. Kildee backs health bill - The Detroit News
 The State | Anti-abortion Rep. Kildee backs health bill The Detroit News Dale Kildee said Wednesday he is convinced Senate abortion language would ensure no federal money is spent on the procedure, clearing the way for him to ... Anti-abortion Democrat Kildee says he will vote yes on health care bill Stupak Ally in House Approves Senate Abortion Restrictions Nuns in US back healthcare bill despite Catholic bishops' opposition |
SKorean women caught in abortion limbo - The Associated Press
SKorean women caught in abortion limbo The Associated Press But getting an abortion, once so routine here that South Korea was known as "Abortion Republic," is no longer easy. In recent weeks, the government has ... |
A Broader View of Health Care - New York Times (blog)
 BigNews.biz (press release) | A Broader View of Health Care New York Times (blog) On the issue of abortion that I mention, there's little doubt that the key to reducing abortion isn't law but is provision of universal health care. ... Access, Access, Access Letter: Why no language saying abortions not funded? Funding abortion is not health care |
Australian Senate rejects Scientology inquiry call - The Associated Press
 NEWS.com.au | Australian Senate rejects Scientology inquiry call The Associated Press "Allegations by some women that they were forced to have abortions are nonsense," the church said in a statement from its Australian headquarters in Sydney. ... Scientologists reject claims they forced abortions Scientologists reject abortion claims |
Lawmakers return to abortion debate - Jacksonville Daily News
Lawmakers return to abortion debate Jacksonville Daily News AP COLUMBIA — South Carolina legislators are again arguing about whether the state's health insurance plane should cover abortions in cases of rape or ... State Budget Could Be Held Up Over Abortion Amendment SC legislators reject rape, incest abortion ban SC Legislature Overturns Proposed Abortion Coverage Ban |