The History of Abortion Before Roe V Wade

My part in the history of abortion dates back to the sixties, before Roe V. Wade. Although I never had one, illegal abortion was extremely common and the majority of my friends had had at least one. It is estimated that at this time about 1.2 million illegal abortions were performed in the United States each year.

The history of abortion really goes back to prehistory. Most anthropologists think that early people practiced some form of abortion. However, the first recorded evidence in the history of abortion is found in China in a document recording abortions performed upon royal concubines between 500 and 515 BCE. According to Chines legend, the Emporer Shennong prescribed the use of mercury for the purpose of abortion about 5,000 years ago.

The long history of abortion dates back to ancient Egypt and then to Greece and Rome. Early Christians were generally against abortion, partially in reaction against Pagan practices. Many methods were used including herbs, abdominal manipulation and sharpened instruments. The first visual presentation in the history of abortion is found at Ankor wat in Cambodia. One of the carvings depicts a demon trying to induce abortion by messaging the abdomen of a woman who is in the underworld. Message involving pressure on the abdomen was common throughout many cultures.

The Hippocratic Oath proscribes abortion, but the writings attributed to Hypocrites describe him advising women to jump up and down, touching their buttocks with their heals at each jump. He also describes instruments used to dilate the cervix and to curette inside the uterus.

Soranus, a 2nd Century physician important to the history of abortion, advises violent exercise like jumping up and down, carrying heavy objects, and riding animals. He also recommends diuretics, emmenagogues (ways of inducing menstruation), enemas, fasting, and bloodletting. He also tried herbal baths, rubs, and medicated vaginal suppositories.

The early Church did not equate abortion to murder, especially if it occurred before "quickening." Thomas Aquinas, however, taught that contraception and abortion were crimes against nature and sins against marriage. In 1288 Pope Sixtus aligned church policy with these teachings. However, in 1591, Pope Gregory the XIV decreed that prior to 116 days an abortion would not be punished by penalties any stricter than local penalties, the latter being varied and generally not so strict.

The history of abortion shows a guarded acceptance of abortion if performed before "quickening" until the 19th Century. Most Protestants were opposed to abortion and in 19th Century England and the United States strong anti abortion laws were passed. In 1869 Pope Pius IX decreed that anyone who participated in abortion had ex communicated themselves. Even though abortion was now outlawed, it was still widely practiced. Many compounds were sold with a warning that the medicine was guaranteed to cause abortion and women resorted to knitting needles and other dangerous practices. Midwives and a few doctors also performed abortions.

By the 1970's the tide had turned and most European countries legalized abortions and in the United States Roe V Wade ruled that abortions must be permitted during the first six months of pregnancy.