JACOB RUF

FOR WOMEN IN CHILDBIRTH AND MIDWIVES

Even in the title, Jakob Ruf makes it clear to whom the booklet is addressed: "A right funny comfort booklet on the conception and birth of men for the comfort of all birthing women, and actual reports from midwives". This is the second edition of the German version.

The book begins with a novelty – a detailed description illustrated with a picture series on the development of a child in the womb. In the second part, midwives are instructed on how to behave during difficult births.

The text is not based in theory, but rather provides concrete instructions for guidelines on how to act. The images date back to medieval templates of foetal presentations. Another part is dedicated to the female anatomy. Here, Ruf relies on Vesalius' "Fabrica", which had been printed eleven years earlier. Also of interest was the treatise on various "freaks" and their interpretation; for this, Ruf drew on earlier works.