Scotland’s “wooden operator” William Smellie (1697-1763) and his counterpart in France André Levret (1703-1780): two great obstetricians and anatomists

Abstract

During the eighteenth century two great physicians, William Smellie and André Levret, instated maternity as a medical procedure. Although they had to face the negative criticism from women midwives of their time, nonetheless, through their work, they were recognized by the medical community as prominent obstetricians. With the expertise they gained they improved the forceps, while they thoroughly studied the anatomy of the pelvis. They passed their skills to their students who became the successors of their toil. Starting from two different countries and schools they both managed to shine within their science and leave behind a rich path.