Both of us were vaguely aware of François Rousset's treatise on caesarean birth but had only seen isolated quotes citing it as the first text on the subject. One of us (TFB), while pursuing further research on caesarean section, found a copy of the original 1581 publication in French in the library of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in London.

In its time, Rousset's book was translated into German and Latin; however, there is no known English translation. This is hardly surprising, since Latin was the lingua franca of the Church and European scholars until the 17th century. Rousset's motive for writing in French is explained in his preface: he wanted his message to reach the surgeons of the day, few of whom were proficient in Latin.

It seems to us only fitting that, after some 430 years, there should be available an English translation of this seminal work. Furthermore, in some countries, one-quarter to one-third of women are now delivered by caesarean section, which is a continuing source of controversy in both the medical and lay press. It therefore seems appropriate to review the text, which was also highly controversial four centuries ago, that first promoted the procedure.