Culpeper's Book of Birth: A 17th Century Guide to Having Lusty Children

Nicholas Culpeper is known as the celebrated English herbalist of the seventeenth century. His major work, The Culpeper Herbal, has been continually published over the years since it was written in 1651.

It is little known that Culpeper also, in the same year, wrote A Directory for Midwives, now edited and published under the title Culpeper's Book of Birth. Written in the very direct and frank language of the time, much of what Culpeper says is relevant to today's world and mother. He is, for example, very modern in his attitude to sensible diet and exercise. A very useful and practical book, which beautifully evokes the period with delightful illustrations by Sue Warne.