Povitushestvo (institute of midwives) as a form of national medical services in the ethnic culture of the Russian peasantry

The article is devoted to the identification and study of ritual complexes related to the individual stages of the Institute of midwives, in its relationship forming an integral system of national medical services. Special attention is paid to the analysis of research materials covering the functioning of national medical, domestic, national-pedagogical rational and psycho-emotional, magical irrational methods of traditional childbirth. The study of the Institute of midwives makes it possible to identify the progressive traditions of the Russian peasantry, religious, ritual and moral aspects of preventive medical services that were widespread in Russia until the middle of the XX century. The analysis of the practice of obstetrics shows that the national medical practice functioned as a stable and inseparable combination of practical experience, ethical code and religious beliefs.