Female clerks in Sweden in the second half of the 19th century

Field surgeons have been described since the 15th century in Sweden and were responsible for surgical care during wars and could then also carry out their activities in civilian life during peacetime. In 1861, a new regulation on the profession of field surgeon was issued regarding the treatments that field surgeons were allowed to perform, mainly minor surgery, and the regulation included that women could also become field surgeons. The first female medical officer in Sweden was originally a midwife, and she was examined before the Board of Health in 1863. During the period 1860 to 1930, according to the census, there were around 30 female medical officers. Field nurse training was later abolished in 1896 by a parliamentary decision, but field nurses were active in Sweden well into the 20th century. This project aims to describe the number, education, activities and tasks of female field clerks in Sweden. We have so far identified 70 female clerks in Sweden through various sources. Data has been compiled regarding their demographic information, year of graduation, location and period of activity, as well as references. The project will, with the help of searches in the National Archives, mainly concerning the Karolinska Institute, the Medical Board and the Collegium medicum, and in the City Archives, concerning the archives of the 1st city doctor, also describe education, work tasks and the demarcation with other professional groups.