The History of Prostitution: Its Extent, Causes, and Effects throughout the World

A mid‑nineteenth‑century physician turned his careful observations into a systematic study of prostitution, dedicating the work to the governors of New York’s Alms‑House. Drawing on municipal records, hospital reports and a wide range of foreign sources, he maps the scale of the trade in the city while placing it in a broader international context. The introduction sets a sober tone, arguing that the problem’s size and its ripple effects on families and neighborhoods have been hidden behind social prudery.

The author examines the economic pressures, family breakdowns and public‑health hazards that often drive women into the profession, pairing statistical data with vivid contemporary accounts. He urges readers to consider how a “moral pestilence” can silently undermine the stability of the domestic sphere. Listeners will find a clear, fact‑based narrative that respects the era’s language yet speaks to the ongoing relevance of understanding the social roots of such a persistent issue.