TY - JOUR T1 - The medical ethics of the 'father of gynaecology', Dr J Marion Sims. JF - Journal of Medical Ethics JO - J Med Ethics SP - 28 LP - 31 DO - 10.1136/jme.19.1.28 VL - 19 IS - 1 AU - D Ojanuga Y1 - 1993/03/01 UR - http://jme.bmj.com/content/19/1/28.abstract N2 - Vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF) was a common ailment among American women in the 19th century. Prior to that time, no successful surgery had been developed for the cure of this condition until Dr J Marion Sims perfected a successful surgical technique in 1849. Dr Sims used female slaves as research subjects over a four-year period of experimentation (1845-1849). This paper discusses the controversy surrounding his use of powerless women and whether his actions were acceptable during that historical period. ER -