<<

Advertising Abortion During the

18305 and 18405: Madame Restell

Builds a Business

by Marvin Olasky

Michael Schudsan has pointed out that, with the advent of died of typhoid fever in 1333. leaving her with a small child.3 the penny press in the 18305, "advertising became more She supported herself for a time through work as a strictly an economic exchange, not a moral one.”l But how seamstress and midwife, then was remarried in 1836 to a far did newspapers go in their acceptance of advertising? Herald printer, Charles Lohman,‘ In 1837 she What was the content of ads for controversial goods and began selling abortifacients and apparently performing services, such as abortion? Did ads try to sell ideas as well as abortions.S products? “Madame Restell," as Anna Lehman began calling her- Questions of this sort can best be answered by close study self, had to proceed cautiously in her business, since abortion of the ads themselves. This article, therefore. traces the was illegal by statute in New York, and by statute or common manner in which New York’s leading ahortionist. Madame law tradition in other states:5 Abortionjsts, though. were Restell, used newspaper advertising during the 18305 and rarely arrested and even more rarely prosecuted7 early 18405 to help build a business that made her a It was hard to prove abortionists guilty, for there was no millionaire. invariably accepted proof that a woman was pregnant until The study is based on evidence gained through four “quickeuing” (the beginning of noticeable fetal movement) research approaches: first, studying the practice of abortion occurred, generally in the fifth month of pregnancy. Abortion in the United States during this period; second, examining on before quickening could be termed “an attempt to remove a daily basis the ample abortion advertising in New York’s female blockages” or ”a cure for stoppage of the menses," two celebrated penny papers of the 18305 and 18405, the which was accurate in that the leading cause of menstrual and the Herald, and also noting that the New York Tribune stoppage among women of chfld-bearing age was did not carry abortion advertising; third, obtaining a con- pregnancya trasting view of Restell by reading, fmm 1845 on, coverage of her in a new, sensational New York weekly, the National Police Gazette; fourth, tracing through other sources the continued career of Madame Resteil‘ Rosecution of afterwquickeniug abortions also was dif- ficult, since witnesses would he very hard to come by. After Background all, if the abortion was successful and the woman survived she would be unlikely to testify; if she died, pathologists at Anna Trow was born in Painswick, , in 1312, the that time could not know for sure that an abortion had 0c» daughter of poor and uneducated parents.” She worked as a curred.g serving maid, married Henry Summers, an alcoholic tailor, If a woman during this era believed herself to be pregnant and with him emigrated to in 1831. Summers and wanted to abort, the common procedure was to use an abortifacieut. Substances such as ergot, calomel. aloe, black hellebore or ergot mixed with oil of tansy were to be ingested, Marvin Olasky teaches journalism history at the University of on the theory that a horrible shock to the lower digestive aMustin. tract might so disrupt the uterus that a miscarriage would

journalism History 13:2 Summer1986 49 “inform the ladies that result. Pills containing such substances were called “female nounced in the Sun that she wished to They must not monthly regulating pills" or some such name, once again her pills are an infallible regulator of ***‘**. though, Restell wtth the pretense that the only goal was regulation of the be taken when ‘*******."” Later that month, “pregnantfi’” menstrual cycle.” did not use asterisks in place of ”menses" or Instead, she publicized her “FEMALE MONTHLY REGULATING PILLS” that would cure “all cases of sup~ pressinn, irregularity, or stoppage of the menses, however If the pills failed, as they often did, and a woman was still obdurate, or from whatever causes produced. "2‘ intent upon abortion, a visit to the abortionist came next. that they could generally Abortionists then, as now, knew In her basic ads, which ran regularly from 1839 through cervix or rup- bring on contractions through dilation of the 1345, Madame Restell always emphasized secrecy: ture of the amniotic sac, and that such contractions would lead to expulsion of the fetus. Textbooks also described “in MADAME RES‘I‘ELL. FEMALE PHYSICIAN, residence 148 utero decapitation" and "fetal pulverizatton,”“ Greenwich street, where she can be consulted with the strictest Advertising for abortifacients and abortion services was confidence on complaints incident to the female frame.=5 generally by word~otrmouth during the early decades of the . But with the development of the penny papers She also noted her “perfect cure” for “obstinate” cases and in the 18305, and their frequent willingness to accept ad~ her willingness to accommodate clients during abortion vertising from virtually all comers with few questions asked, recovery: new marketing opportunities emerged. '2 Madame Ratell's experience and knowledge in the treatment at obstinate cases of female irregularity‘ stoppage, suppl’asiohy The Language and Politics ofAbortion Advertising etc.. is such as to require but a few days to effect a perfect eurei Ladies desiring proper medical attendance during confinement Typically, abortion and abortifacient ads did not use the or other indispusiljnn, will be accommodated during such time, with private and respectable hearth“s word “abortion" One 1836 New York Sun ad, addressed to "SUFFERING FEMALES," offered pills to remedy “sup- Significantly, though, Restell also ran two varieties of what pression of menses or monthly sicknese."” Language such today would be called “issue-oriented” ads. They were as “suppression, irregularity, or stoppage of the menses" designed to sell the idea of abortion itself. and to assure the became customary, with “ubdurate,” ”obstinate” or queasy that they were virtuous despite the intention to “persistent” cases being those pregnancies that continued engage in what was generally regarded as vice after use of abortit'acients and might lead to a visit to the The long ad that ran in the Sun, but was not found in the ahortionist.“ Herald. suggested that pregnancy was not fair to the woman. The code was convenient to newspapers that wanted to “lrregularity and suppression,“ the ad stated, causes bring in advertising revenue while, if possible, minimizing community chastisement, The veil fooled few, though. One derangement of the stomach. observer said the abortion advertisements’ code words were violent and convulsive headaches gnawing in the side. burning in the ehestV disturbed and feverish known to “every schoolgirl” in New York.” A physician sleep. frightful dream languur. debility, weakness. a must complained that the ads were “intelligible not only to fathers distressing lethargy." and mothers. but also to hays and girls.”'° The euphemisms nevertheless seemed fruitful, and they mul tiplied. Some women who become pregnant, the ad continued, fall The few advertisements that used the word ”abortion” at into first (as part of a “warning" that would make clear to readers the products’ supposed efficacy) soon ceased to do that melancholy of mind and depression of Spirits that make so_ For instance, a New York Sun ad in 1837 promoted: existence itself but a prulunga [ion of suiferlng and wretchedness. and which 3135! not Infrequenfly dooms the unhappy victim to the perpetration of suicide," 01': Van Humbert's FemaIe Renovating Pills — [ram — An etl'eetual remedy for suppression. irregularity and at] cases where nature does nut perfurm her proper and regular cnurset There was no need to despair, though: ”These dreadful and They must not be taken during pregnancy, as they would produce alarming symptoms and all others arising from female abortion" irregularity or suppression are removed in a few days by Mme. Restell.”” The other abortion advocacy ad, which ran in the Herald from 1840 through 1845, was less hysterical and more Two years later, though, the Sun ran the same ad, but with philosophically altruistic in tone. Perhaps Madame Restell asterisks in place of crucialletters: “They must not be taken felt that a high-minded plea for family population control, during p'"""y, as they would produce a**”"*n."“ Shortly along with an emphasis on male reactions, might appeal after that the asterisks, which gave the precise number of more to the Herald's increasingly middle-class audience and letters, disappeared, and were replaced by blanks: The pills business readership. The ad suggested that a new pregnancy ”must not be taken during p—~y, as they would produce a— was not fair to the husband or to the children already born: 117”” Two months later the blanks with their beginning and ending letters had disappeared, leaving a very odd sentence: In how many instances dues [sic] the hard "They must not be taken during as they would produce?“1 working father. and more especially the muther of a poor family, remain slaves Three months after that the entire sentence was gone, and throughout their lives, tugging at the oar uf incessant labor. the ad ended merely with the note that the pills were “safe toiling but to live and living but to toil, when they might have under all circumstances except one“:l enjoyed comfort and comparative affluence. and if care and loll have weighed clown flue spirit. No definite evidence exists as to why those changes were and 31 last broken the health of the father. how ntten is the widow left unable. with the most virtuous made, but in 1839 Madame Restell, in her second year of intention; lu save her tatherless offspring from becoming advertising, made the same change? On May 9, she an- degraded objects of ch arity or prcfligate vntaries of vice?“

5010urnalism History 13:2 Summer1986 The Sun responded:

We copy the above. not because we deem it of the least im~ HATIIIMI. PflLlflli Iilllli‘l‘i‘li. portance to expose or refute the base falsehoods which it utters or mu . mn . Tau. unv-mom “main mm H um. nu mm . nruxl insinuate: against us; these. with a thousand others like them conceived in the same spirit "pass by like the wind." Indeed it givs us pleasure. as far as we are individually concerned. to meet thae spiteful attacks from fanalins, hypocrites, and corrupt parlizans [sic]. who allow themselves to he ”the tools with which knaves do work withal." When we are attacked from such quarters. it gives us strong assurance that we are doing our duty to the public, dmltruth is makingils way in triumph?6

Such rhetorical response might have had its base in principle, principal, or both. Penny press editors argued, in essence, that newspaper policy concerning advertising should be virtually that of a common carrier. For example, the Daily Times commented in 1837:

It is sufficient for our purpose that the advertisements are paid fun. . .One man has as good a right as another to have his wares, his goods‘ his panacea; his protecsinn, published to the world in a newspaper. provided he pays for ill“

It would take a great deal of faith or naivete, though, to argue that the money of Madame Restell and others did not m rmu uonflmnrr. talk very loudly. At the price of $150 for running a six-line unit for two weeks, with about a Go—line average in 1839, Madame Restell on the cover of the National Police Restell’s annual bill for reaching the Sun’s 32,000 readers would have been $650 — at a time when decent New York Gazette. apartments cost $5 or $6 per month.“

Madame Restell also expressed concern about the wife dying and leaving “young and helpless children” without A similar computation for the He raid, which charged $2.50 for an eightdine unit in “those endearing attentions and watchful solicitudes, which 1840, would put her annual ad~ a mother alone can bestow?“ She then asked: vertising costs in that newspaper alone at about $420 — an appreciable sum, in that Bennett had founded the Herald Is it desirable. then —is it moral —far parenls to increase [heir with just $500 in 1835.” No precise figures show whether families, regardless of consequenca to themselves‘ or the well Restell actually paid full price —some volume discounts were being nf their nfl'spring, when a simple. easy, healthy and certain available, and published advertising rates did not always remedy is within our cantroi?” hold 7 but she probably accumulated (in 1986 dollars) an advertising charge of at least $50,000 in those two The answer, for Restell, definitely supported abortion: newspapers.“ "Every dispassionate. virtuous and enlightened mind, will In return, her business prospered. During the early 18405 unhesitatingly answer in the affirmativef“ she opened branch offices in Boston and ; she had aborfifacient-selljng franchises in Newark, Providence and five New York locations; by 1845, she was keeping her Madame Restell, in short, editorialized heavily in her paid main office open from 9 am. to 9 pm.“ Space. That was her right, but it did lead to a one-sided view She was also giving herself in the press a fake pedigree and of abortion in the Herald and the Sun. Neither was found to fake credentials. First she advertised that her grandmother have run any editorial comments on Madame Restell’s had been a “celebrated midwife and female physician” who views, or to have covered her illegal activity. In contrast, introduced use of abortifacients “into some of the principal other newspaper editors fought a “mural war” against the Female Hospitals in ."*' Then she contended that she Herald, complaining of both news coverage and advertising; herself had worked Horace Greeley, for instance, did not accept abortion ads in his New York Tribune, and in 1841 he criticized the Herald in the twa principal Female Hospitals in Eurape — those of and the Sun for accepting Madame Restell's ads,“ But there Vienna and — where favured by her greal experience and opportunities. she attained that celebrity in was no apparent change in Herald or Sun abortion ad- those great discoveries in medical science so specially adapted lo the female vertising policies. frame.“ The Sun eVen reprinted an attack on it by one Christian newspaper, Zion's Watchman, which asked: Given the illegality of her business, the informality of all medical practice at that time and the absence of income Christian patronize this vile print? Luck at its How can any taxes, it is not surprising that no financial records exist of conslant advertisements Il' Madamerfifilell. and others of a similar character, which render it unlit to be received into any Madame Restell‘s business or customer loadV Similarly, it is decent family. . t . We call on all friends at virtue la set their not known whether most of her customers came because of faces against that print, as utterly unworthy of theirsupport,“ print advertising or word»of-mouth, but it is clear that she

journalism History 13:2 Summer 1986 51 believed cuntinual advertising t0 be a good investment. That these attempts to im pose upon them‘ It is Sufficient here to state cnunterfeits, except those sold is certainly what some of her competitors believed also, for that all Female Monthly Pills are at Madame Resteli's,‘7 they began or expanded their own ads.

Over the next several months, Madame Reetell continued Competition to attack “counterfeit pills,“" but in March 1842, Madame Costello fought back with an ad proclaiming that hers were Beginning in 1840, more abortifacient sellers emerged, “Dr. Vandenburgh” sold his “Female Regeneracy Pills” in GENUINE FEMALE MONTHLY PILLS, Madame Costello’s the Sun, calling them “an effectual remedy fur suppression, FEMALE MONTHLY PILL is acknowledged by the first irregularity, and all cases where nature has stopped from Physicians in the United Stata as the very best medicine that any cause whatsoever!“ A “Madame Vincent” offered her ladies laboring under a suppression of their natural illness can take. own female regulating pins.“ Ads for “Portuguese Female [menstruation] Pilis”‘° and “FRENCH LUNAR PILLS” appeared in 1341, though, may have warned Restell that Costello with the notice that the latter were called “lunar pills" The He raid, was changing her ad, for directly below Madame Costello’s ad the following appeared: on account at their efficacy in producing the monthly turns of | females. A t A Their effects are truly astonishing. They are never T0 FEMALES, SO VARIOUS and desperate are the attended with any distressing operation, are always certain. and CAUTION expedients resorted to by ignorant, though impatient pretenders. therefnre pregnant wamen should not take them. LOUIS with the object of imposing upon females, that Madame Hostel] DROUETT" deems herself called upon to put them on their guardt One axe pedient 55. lo pul up a miserable compound, and forthwith to call it genuine “Female Manthly Pills," with the hope theretnre to effect sale for them on the reputation acquired by Madame Other ahortionists also began advertising. A “Doctor Bell” flestell‘s Female Monthly Pills, and the person attempting their sale called herself, (the better to deceive the public) a of females also receives his announced that "irregularity "madame” or a "female physician." Females, therefore. need particular attention.""’ A ”Dr, Ward“ treated suppression, not be deceived by those who, though too ignorant and unskillful irregularity and female obstructions.” A ”Mrs. Mott”"“ ta discover and introduce a valuable medicine, are yet despicable jumped in and a “Mrs. Bird” was persistent.“ But judging and dishonest enough to palm off upon the unsuspecting or simpt'e,miserab1e counterfeils and imita Hons oi the genuine,“ by the ads — and Madame Restell’s reaction to them — her prime competitor was a new contender, Catherine Costello of Restell, of course, had also designated herself a madame and Jersey City, just across the Hudson River from Manha ttan. female physician in order to deceive the unsuspecting or Madame Costello began by advertising her own “Female simple. Monthly Pitts," calling them “a sovereign remedy for irregularity, female obstruction, and never fails [sic] to bring on regular periods?“ Like Madame Restell, she then continued to advertise herself as a FEMALE promised her abortion customers a place to recover: Costello PHYSICIAN, and extended her claims for the pills she sold: Madame Costello is well aware that it is sometimes inconvenient for ladies who are laboring under a suppression of their regular Their certainty of action has long been acknowledged by the illness. to have that attention at their residences which the nature medical profession, and hundreds that have uselessly tried or their cases may demand, and to such she wauid say that she is various boasted remedies; indeed, so sure are thae pins in their prepared to accommodate them with heard and the best of effects. that care is sometimes necessary in their use though Ihey at her raidehce, 34 Lispenard St.“ contain no medicine detrimental to the mmstitutimn.‘1

The reference to "care” necessary in use may have meant a Costello customer had died, Madame Restell's rhetoric, in By , Costello was advertising herself as a “female response, became even tougher. A December 1842, ad, titled physician,” much as Madame Resteli did, and promising "CAUTION TO FEMALES, ” noted that Madame Restetl “appropriate and effectual remedies for irregularity and obstruction?“ By December 1341, she had expanded her ad, does not wish to be classed with the pretenders continually ap» titling it TO THE LADIES (not just to the MARRIED peering and disappearing, advertising as 'Female Physicians,’ LADIES, which was often the heading on Restell ads), and who too ignorant and incompetent themselvm are obliged to get some scarcely less i gneram quack tn expen‘ment instead.“I boasting that “Suppression, irregularity, obstruction &c, by whatever cause produced, can be removed by Madame C. in The Resteil-Costello battle continued throughout the next a very short time.“5 She also announced an office expansion three years, with Costello answering Restell’s charges that in order to receive more women “who wish to be treated for she was not personally involved in treating patients: obstruction of their monthly period . . . strictest regard to secrecy.”“[n response, Restell increased her advertising Madame C, particularly begs to impras an the minds of the ads in the He raid on December space, running three separate delicate. that she otfieiatee personally at every case, so that 3, 1341, with a total of 88 lines, including one ad that etmeked hesitatian or dread need never to beapprehended.“

COUNTERF‘EIT MONTHLY PILLS Owing to the celebrity, In April 1846, though, Costello’s husband, Charles Mason, efficiency and invariable succm of Madame Restell's Female was indicted for selling the corpse of one of his wife’s Monthly Pills in all cases at irregularity. suppression. or step- page of those functions of nature upon which the health of every patients.“ A new New York weekly newspaper, the National female depends, since the introducing into the United States, now Police Gazette, widely publicized the trial, and some of about fuur years. eounterieits and imitations are continually Madame Costello’s patients apparently began to apprehend attempted to be paimed on for the genuine. Cheap. cummoh pills hesitation 0r dread.“5 But by then Madame Restell also are purchased at twelve cents a box. put up in diflerent boxes, had and called "Female Mammy Pill." with the abjecl of selling, it more serious matters to concern her than the advertising possibie, at one doilar‘ Females are therefure cautioned against competition.

52 journalism History 13:2 Summer 1986 Backlash

Madame Restell’s ample advertising attracted the at— tention of not only customers but also some physicians, Dr, Gunning Redford wrote an article for The New York Medical and Surgical Reporter that called her ”a monster who speculates with human life with as much cruehiess as if she were engaged in a game of chance.”“ He wrote of one patient who told him that “Madame Restell, on previous occasions, had caused her to miscan'y five times,”“ The patient also described one Restell abortion in which the aborted baby “kicked several times after it was put into the bowl.”“ Bedford wrote angrily that Restell's

advertisements are to be seen in our daily papers . . l . She tells publicly what she can do; and without the slightest Scmple, urges all to call on her who might be anxious to avoid having children.“

Neither the Herald not the Sun covered such accusations, but the National Police Gazette, just beginning publication in 1845, took on Hostel]. The Gazette typically filled three of its eight pages with ads for medicines anti the usual run of goods and services, but none for abortion, which editor George Wilkes strongly opposed in editorials." The Gazette was the one New York newspaper to run articles about abortion regularly during the 18405. It stated:

We believe that hill expositions of the infamous practices at“ éborfiom'sts will tend to present these human fiends in a true light A sketch of Madame Restell from the National Police before the eyes of those who may become their dupes. We shall Gazette, October 30, ‘1 B47. follow up this business until New York is rid of those child destroyers“

illegally, that was an odd statement, but the Herald had not -l—he Gazette also proposed police establishment of “a run criticism of her over the years, perhaps because it was night-and—day watch at the doors of the slaughterhouses of not willing to upset a large and regular advertiser.” the murderous abortionists of this city."” This did not occur, but Madame Restell adopted a low profile, decreasing her Through 1846, though, the Gazette confinued to observe advertising after late- 1845." that abortion is “murder . . . strangling the unborn." Under The Gazette continued its criticisms throughout 1845 and great pressure, the police finally found a woman who had had early 1846, complaining that “Restell still roams at large a post-quickening abortion at the hands of Madame Restell through the influence of ill-gotten wealth and will probably and was willing to testify‘ In 1847 Restell was arrested for still continue until public indignation drives her and her performing an abortion.‘0 associates from our midst?" The paper predicted that a "day of vengeance” would arrive for Restell and other “fiends who have made a business of professional murder At the trial a young woman, Maria Bodine, testified that and who have reaped the bloody harvest in quenching the she had been attracted to Madame Restell's house by ad- immortal spark in thousands of the unborn.”" The Gazette vertising and operated on by Madame Restel] without proclaimed Restell a “murderess paramount in the dark anesthesia: ”She hurt me so that I halloed out and gripped scheme of professional destruction, openly defying decency hold of her hand; she told me to have patience, and I would and the statute. and proclaiming to the world to stifle human call her ‘mother’ for it.“ Found guilty, Restell was given a life at so much per deed!“ oneyear term at the prison then on Blackwell’s Island in the With authorities still not acting, popular hostility fueled by East River. It seemed for a while as if community pressure Gazette accounts‘and anti-Restell handbflls erupted. At noon had won out over advertising clout,“ on , 1846, a crowd began to gather in front of Restell's houses By 12:30, a crowd estimated (by different Comeback reporters) at 300 to 1,000 was faced by 40 to 50 policemen who had stationed themselves on her doorstep; The crowd for According to later accounts by journalists, political con- hours gave anti-Restell cries of “Where’s the thousand nections apparently preserved Restefl from any great children murdered in this house?” and “ is too good jailhouse misery. She was allowed to put aside the lumpy for the monster." Restell was described as a "wholesale prison mattress and bring in her own fancy new featherbed female strangler." and governmental authorities were at— instead; she also brought into the “prison suite" her own tached for not shutting her down," easy chairs, rockers and carpeting. Visiting hours were The Herald covered the event but concluded its brief ac altered so that Charles Lohman was able to visit at will and count with an editorial statement: “We hope that nothing will “remain alone with her as long as suited his or her pleasure,” be done to endanger the peace of the city. Under all cir— according to Warden J acob Acker.“ cumstances the supremacy of the law should be main~ Not surprisingly, Madame Restell did not advertise while tained.”" Considering that Madame Restell was acting she was in prison. After her release in 1848, though, she

journalism History 13:2 Summer 7986 53 proclaimed that the trial and imprisonment were worth i'lustry.”°9 Newspapers that had opened their advertising $100,000 to her in advertising. And by 1848 public interest in columns to ahortiunists did bow to public pressure this time, abortion seemed to have died down. with the Gazette moving and at various points during the 18705 began refusing to run on to other crusades, Restell moved to larger and better ads for known abortionists. offices, resumed advertising during the 13505. and was said Madame Restell, who was still in business at age 65. was to spend $20,000 in advertising per year, largely through arrested in 1878 for "selling drugs and articles to procure handbills.“ She became a millionaire and moved to a Fifth abortion."°° The night before her trial was scheduled to Avenue mansion which, according to the New York Times, begin. she was discovered in one of the bathtubs of her "never fails to attract the attention of the passerhy, 011 ac- mansion by a maid. with her throat cut from ear to ear, an count of its architectural beauty and magnifieence."” apparent suicide.“1 According to the maids. she had been walking the corridors of her mansion late at night for weeks. muttering, “I have never injured anybody, Why should they bring this trouble upon me? ”"2 But early in the 18705 some leading editorial writers once again began demanding that newspapers refuse advertising Conclusions from abortionists. For example. the New York Times. in an editorial titled ”Advertising Facilities for Murder,” attacked Abortion advertising in the Herald and the Sun during the “the lying notice of men and women whose profession. if it 18305 and 18405 was frequent and highly competitive. Even means anything at all. means murder made easy."'6 The though abortion was against the law, Madame Restell and Times asked whether “the lives of babes are of less account others were able to use the newspapers as community than a few ounces of precious metal, or a roll of green- bulletin boards to carry on arguments. Abortiom‘sts backs.”" criticized each other in their ads and tried to sell the idea of The New York Tribune also examined the business aspects abortion as well as their products and services. In ads they of also were able to lie about their backgrounds. The research shows how Madame Restell helped build hex- an inlamous but unfortunately commnn crime _ 5-: common that it ELEl'ards a lucrative suppnrt la a regular guild at professional business through advertising. She also may have been buying murderers. so sale that its perpetrators advertise their calling in protection, as there was an absence of editorial criticism of the newspapers and parade their spoils on the fashionable aborticin in both the Herald and the Sun. And yet. the ads avenues.“ made use of a code. never in the 1840:; actually using the word “abortion.” The newspaper euphemisms showed not only a It called for an end to newspaper advertising of abortion desire to pretend that nothing illegal was going on, but, servica: “Abortion at any period is homicide” and should perhaps, a basic ambivalence in American society about not be “allowed to flourish openly as a recognized in- abortion itself. ———.——

NOTES

1. Michael Schudsun. chuvering the News (New York: Basic Books, 1913). p. 3;Sepl.22.1843. 1.7.4; Dec.13,1843,p.~1; April 13.1M4.p. +.Jan.11. 1315.114. 19. Also see LheSun,0cL21. 1841.1). 4; Feb.24. 11342.1). t1; Aug. 6. 1342. p. 1.

2. New York Times, April 2.. 111711.112. 15, E1 y van cle Warker. “The Criminal Use of Proprietary Adver heed N cstrums," New York Medical Jou rnal. January 1873,1313. 23-25. 3,Ibid. 16. P. Le Prahnn. quoted in Muhr. p. 55. t lhid. 17. New York Sun, , 1837. p.l;Ju1y 14.183743. 1. 5. New York Herald. Dec. 8.1841. 1.1.4 18, New York Sim. .1839. 91 L 61 Hugh 1.. Hodge. Fneticide (Philadelphia: Univezsity of Pennsylvania, 1869). pp. 26-27. See also Cyril C. Means. “The Law of New York Cnncernjng Ahor- 19. New York Sun. June 25.1839.p.4. tion and um Stale ml the Foelns. 1664—1968: A Case 101‘ Cessation :11" Can- stitulionality." New Yuri: Law Forum [Fall 1950:4511‘490. 7.0. NewYor}; Sun, Aug. 9.1335. [1. 4.

7. James Muhr, Aborrian in America (New York: Oxford University Press, 21. New York Sun, Dec. 11. 1835.1). 4. 1573). pp. 4645. 12. New York Sun. May 9.1339. p. 4. 8. Ely van de Warker. The Dclectian of Criminal Abortion (Eustun: James Campbeu.Publishex-.1872). p. 8: Mohr. p. 4. 23. New York Sun, May 18.1889. [1.4: June 12.1839.p. 4; Aug.17.1339.p. 4; Sepl. II. 1839. p. 4. 9. Warker. pp. 7-211; Mnhr. 111 15. 7.4. NewYork Sun. Dec. 11.1335, p.11 A151: see the New York Herald, . 1840, 1|). Wal‘kar. pp. 40-38. v.1; Aug.26.1841. [1.3: Sept.22.1843. p.11; Dec, 13. 1843. p.4;.1an.25..1844.p. 4; April 13.1844. [1. 4; Aug.2.1M4, p14; 0013,1844. p, >1; Nov, 21.1844. 1:. 4: 11. Mnhr. p. 15 Jan. 11. 1845. p. 4. 12. Schudsun. p. 15. 25. New York Herald.July15. 1841,1331: Nov. 26, 1841,p14;Dec.3.1M1. p. 4: Sept. 12, 1343. 11 4: Jan. 25. 1845. l). 4. 13. New York Sun, Oct. 11, 1838. 9.1. as. New York Herald, . 1340. p. 4; May 16, 11140. 13.4; Aug. 26. 1841. p, 3: 14.1?‘ar exampies, see the New York Herald, . 1340, p. 1: Aug. 25. 18411.9. 0cL75.1M1,91 4; Nov126. 1841.12. 4;Dec.3.1841.p.4;Jan. 6.134241 4; Jam

54 iournalism History 73:2 Summer 1986 M. 1342. D- 4: FED. 4, 184.2. 9. 4; Feb. 27, 1342. p. 4; March 13. 11942.1). 4; , 59. New York He mid. . 1842, p, 4. 1044. 1:. <1: 0ct.2.1044. p. 4; Nov. 11, 1642, p. 4; Jana, 1345, p. 4. Also see the Sun. 0ct.21.1341, p. 4: Feb. 24, 11142, 114; Aug. 6.1342. 11.1. 60. Ibid.

27.NeanrkSun.SepL2'l.1m. 61. New Yuk Sun, June 31.1342, 11.4: Aug.1, 1042.1). >1: Sept. 15. 1842. p. 4.

23.111111. 62. New YorkHeruld.Dec.9, 1342.11. 4; Dacia, 1042.11. 4: Sap1,22, 11143. p. 4: Dec. 13,1M3,p.4: Jan.:15,11144.p,4: Aprilla, 11144.91. E. 111111. 63. New YorkSun,0c1.Zn.18-15,p.4;0c1.31.1345.p. 4, 30.11292 York Herald. March 6. 11140.1). 4; April 13.1340.p. 3; April 2|), 1840. p, 4; Mayle,1040.p.1: Mayzn,1340,p.1;14113.25,1041,p.3;Nov.25.111-11.p.-1;Dec. 04. New York Tribune. Feb.13., 11148, p. 1; Feb. 14.. 1046, p. 1; Feb. 15.1846, 131 1; 3, 1841.1). 4; Jan. 6. 1M2,p.4;Jan.18.lB’-12. 114; Jan.2’l.1842, p. 4; Feb. 15. Feb. 16, 1046, p. 2; Feb.17, 1346. p. 1. 1842.114; March 13. 1342.11. 4:521:112. 1043.13. 4; Jan.17.1045. p, i1. 65. 1111114150 see National Police Gazette, Feb. 28.1840, 1:. 220: April 25. 1846.13). 31.113111. 234235; May 2. 1046. pp. 291. $3.

32.112112, 86. Quoted in Nnfianal Police Gazette, Nov. 15. 1845. p. 100. See 3150 Gunning Redford. "Madame 11451211 and Some of Her Dupes," New York Medical and 33.112111. Surgical Repurler, Feb.21.1846.pp.158-165.

34. New York Tribune. Dec. 20. 1841, p. 4. 87. National Police Gaze! 112, NW. 15, 1045, p. 100,

35. New York Sun, June 21.13414). 2. 68. Ibid.

36.111111. 69. Ibid.

3L Qunled in Willard G. Bleyer. Main Currenc in the History 01' American 70. Nuliannl Police Gazette, . 1846, p. 205. Jnumnlixm (Boslnn: Huughlnn mflin. 192?). p, 175. and in Schudsun. [J11 19~ 21]. 71. Ibid.

38. New YorkSun,.1unezG.1339.p.1. 72. Ibid.

39. New York Herald. March 6,1840. 1:. 1‘, May 2|). 1m, p.1.Circulau‘on was 11511211 73, New York Herald, November 1345 through December 11150. Madame Rmteu's as 17,000 daily. 011 , 1045. circulation was LisEed as 40,000 daily. See husband. Charla Lohma n, consistenuy advem‘sed an abortiun advocacy alsn FrankLulher Marl, American Journalism (New York: Macmillan, 1950). book. The Married Woman '5 PrivaLe Medical Companion. 111.31 he had written p. m. under his business name and fake title. ”Dr. Maurieeau. Profssur or Diseasa of Women." According to the 3115, the buck went [mm a sixth edifion in 1114'! 10 40. This figure is apprmdmate; 31 is hard to make definitive calculations from a a 10111 edifinn in 11150 and a 12th edition in 1852. The ad promised 111311112 book period befnre consumer price indexm, wuuld reveal ways to “correct all irregularilia 01' the female system." and 011211 included testimonial Jethars. A Sept. 17. 1852. New York Herald ad (p.71 41. New York Herald. March 6.1840,p.4‘,Jan,15,1845, 11,4, included a 1gumonjal leltar from Dayton dated May 1. 1845. The March 25, 1353. Herald ad 1 p. 71 included the same 16111110111211 letter. but updated la May 42. New Ym-k Herard, March 6, 1940, 13.1;May 20, 1040.111. 1,1K-"11.

43.1115“: ank Heruid. D561. 1341. v.4. 74. National Police Gazelle. Feb. 14. 1045. P. 205.

44.NewYur1£Sun,Sepl,14,11140.1). s1. 75. National Police 6:112:12. Feb. 21, 1345, p. 21a

45. New York Sun, Jan. 24. 1340.11. 4. 76. Ibid,

~16. New York Sun. Oct. 22. 1341, p. 2; New Yuk Herald. Oct. 25.1341. 9. 3; Oct. 28. W. New York Herald, Feb. 24. 1646, p. 1', New York Tribune, Feb. 24. 1845, p, 2; 1841.1). 4; Nov. 25. 1341, p, 4; Dean, 1841, p.41 Dec. 10. 1841.114: April 15, 1342, New York MarningNews. FebruaryZS. 1846.1). 1. 11.4: Ju1y13. 13:12, 12,4; Dean. 1842.1). 4, Dec. 13. 1843,p.4: Jan. 2.5.1644. p. 4: April 13. 1844.13.11; July 13,1344, :1. 4; Aug.2, 1844.514: 0211,1344. p.4z Nov. 711. New YorkHeraId,Feb.24. 1846,11. 1. 21.10-14.p.4;Jan.29. 1045.13.11. 79. This is according to a reading of meliemld from 11135 through 1045, 47, New York Herald, Aug,21.1341, p. 4: Augifi. 1341.13. 4:59p1. 17. 10-11, pp. 3,4; seme, 1041,5111, 2.4; 0131,25. 1041. [311.3, 4. 311New York Tribune. April 2, 1871!, p. 11

48. New ank Herald. Jan. 5, 1841.9. 4. 61. Mario nal Police Gazem'. Feb. 14.18-16.12. 205.

49. New York Herald, Feb. 25, 1041. 62. New Yurk Tribune. April 2, 1878. p, 1.

50, Ibid. 83‘ Ibid,

51. New York Sun, March 115, 1040, p. 4: New York Herald. March 15, 1340. p, 41 84. Alan Keller. Scandnlnus Lady (New York: Ameneum.1981).pp.68.71.

52.0181? Yurk Herald. Dec. 15. 1840. F, 4, 85. New York Times. Feb. 12. 1373.13.13.

53. Ibid. 116. New ank Times. Jan, 27, 1371, [1. 3.

54. New York Herald. ?. 11141. p. 4-; Aug. 4.11141, p. 4; Aug. 7. 1841, 11.4; Aug. 87. Ibid‘ 25, 1841. p. 4. 38. New York'l‘ribune, , 11171.94, 55. New ankflemld, Dec.6. 1841.1). 4;Dec.11.1041.p. 4, 139. Ibid. 56.117111. 90. NEW ank T1mas.Feb.12, 1873. 13.8; Feb. 14, 1878, p. 81 5?. New YorkHeraEd. Deaa, 1341.11 4. 91, New York Times.Apr112. p.1, 50. New York Herald, Dec, 10, 1341. 12.4; Dec. 17. 11141. p. 4; Jan. Ii. 11142, p. 4; Feb. 4.1342. p. 4; Feb. 27,1842, p.4; :1. 11342. p. 4. 92, mm. 1:]

journalism History 13:2 Summer 1986 55