As part of the tradition of Argentine history, most English-language publications deal with the history of the capital city, Buenos Aires, and scholars who are interested in provincial and regional topics quickly learn that it is easier to write about topics that focus on the capital. The publication in English of Eraso’s work on social medicine and motherhood provides a corrective to the prevailing idea that important history does not emanate from provincial sources. Indeed, it would have been difficult, if not impossible, to focus on medicine and motherhood from the three vantage points offered in this book—medical, textual, and visual records that highlight the role of the Catholic Church and religious practitioners—without this change in perspective.
Representing Argentinian Mothers explores how Catholic efforts to retain authority regarding reproductive issues centered on the notion that Marian motherhood exemplified the modern role for women. Furthermore, Catholic priests and doctors who identified...