admission ticket to medical lectures on the theory and practice of midwifery, Harvard University, USA, for Mr Henry Blanchard. Card 8.5x12cm, printed in red and dated 1 November 1837. Given by Dr Walter Channing.

Walter Channing (1786-1876) was an American physician and the first professor of midwifery and medical jurisprudence at Harvard University, from 1818 onwards. Up until this time, women were more likely to approach each other for help and physicians were only consulted during difficult births.

During the 1880s, physical examination of women by men was seen as improper. A male physician did not talk or maintain eye contact with his female patient. A woman’s husband or male relation had to give consent for a physical examination.