The Apothecary's Wife: The Hidden History of Medicine and How It Became a Commodity

"Trenchant, witty, and erudite, The Apothecary's Wife is a timely reminder that the profit-driven commodification of healthcare and medicine in our society is neither natural nor preordained, but rather man-made. Gevirtz's book uncovers the largely forgotten domestic origins of those sciences, centering women in that history. It's a story everyone should know."--Jon Michaud, author of Last Call at Coogan's: The Life and Death of a Neighborhood Bar "Truly splendid. Gevirtz not only creates a more nuanced history of medicine, but also makes a strong case that our medical practices today are not inevitable but the result of professional and institutional choices. A significant contribution to our understanding of medicine, economics, and gender."--Marilyn Francus, Professor Emerita of English at West Virginia University "Economic, scientific, and social history combine in this extraordinary, rigorously researched, revisionist account of the crucial role domestic medicine played in the past--and how it might point to a healthier future."--Paul Lay, author of Providence Lost: The Rise and Fall of Cromwell's Protectorate "A rich and pacey narrative history setting out the position of women during the commodification of medicine."--Sara Read, author of The Gossips' Choice