An interesting fact about abortion in the USA

[Os Cangaceiros]

Abortions during this time [mid-1800's, before then there generally weren't abortion laws in US states] were generally illegal. Yet Americans seem not to have been terribly bothered by the widespread resort to the practice. One statistic is particularly revealing: between 1849 and 1858 in Massachusetts, of thirty-two accused abortionists brought to trial, not one was convicted; juries composed solely of men freed every one of the suspects.

Saw that in "Legends Lies and Cherished Myths of American History" by Richard Shenkman (not really a great book, but a few interesting bits) and thought it was interesting enough to post. Shenkman makes the case that abortion was actually viewed pretty apathetically by many in the early US, and that it was doctors, as opposed to clergy, who lobbied for the earliest abortion laws.

[Blake's Baby]

Makes sense. They didn't want some old lady with a bottle of gin and a coat-hook taking money they could take instead with their specialist knowledge and restrictive practices.

[dodger]

Children! Never insert a coat-hook, or indeed and object of that nature in to either your No.! or No.2. Unless by a fully qualified priest.......In all seriousness many of the jurors may have had cause to use the services. A guilty verdict might shed light in the wrong places. Or maybe Yanks are just sensible practical people, left to their own devices in a locked , private room.