Book Description

Author: Dr. Harotion tariakian
Translation: Dr. Zebardast Khan (Motamed Al-Saltanah)
Introduction: Dr. A.T. Saremi
Correction: Ali Karimian, Elham Hatami Bajgiran

This published book represent the poor state of reproductive health and concerns families that continued almost until the last half century. In some cases, birth of a baby with slight variations from normal state, was along with a non-descriptive tragedy in families. In other words, by the birth of a baby in the family, the mother’s life might be ended. In this text of the written heritage, there is a surprising allegory: “the grave of a parturient woman is open for forty days” or in another social text it was said that: “If a woman is delivering in the morning (when the herd goes out), a nail is hit at home to the outside so that deliverin g does not last until sunset (when the herd comes back).” This allegory is a clear and obvious expression of the status of midwifery in that era. It should be noted that before the formal and classical midwifery training, experienced traditional midwifes had been responsible for the health of women newborns and also they were unable in many abnormal situation and this reduced life expectancy in mother and newborns. Therefore, Midwifery training book in Qajar era, was written as a text book in French by Dr. Harotion tariakian for primary education of midwives to save mother and newborns. Then, Dr. ZebardastKhan – who was one of the author’s students – translated it into Persian, finally it was typing by Mohammad Ali Bin Haj Shams Al-Kitab. This work is published in 1321 AH in three chapters; The first chapter is in the subject of pregnancy. The second book in the subject of Midwifery 2. The third chapter is in the subject of natural postpartum fever and post-partum care. All three chapters published in 143 pages, with dimensions of 10 × 17 cm, a paperback, black and crimson hardcover. A copy of it has been recorded in the collection of rare manuscripts of National Library and Archives of the Islamic Republic of Iran by No. 6-5034, code 778996 and class number of 5034 N.1S.15560. Now, in order to familiarize students with the history and status of midwifery and its education in constitutional era in Iran, this edition has been published with an introduction of Dr. Abo Taleb Saremi with revision, modification, suspension, and annotation. It is hoped that it can be useful for readers.