This work investigates the historical shift in American legal and social attitudes toward abortion during the nineteenth century. James C. Mohr, a historian specializing in the intersection of law and social policy, utilizes extensive archival research and legal records to document how abortion transitioned from a common, largely unregulated practice to a criminalized act by the turn of the twentieth century. He argues that this transformation was driven by a complex interplay of professional medical interests, changing social norms, and evolving legislative frameworks.

Historians and legal scholars frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the nineteenth-century origins of abortion regulation in the United States. Readers often note the academic rigor and the extensive documentation provided, which makes it a standard reference for those studying the history of reproductive law.