History: Woman dies of abortion performed by veterinarian

On February 10, 1957, veterinarian Ira Ledbetter performed an abortion on Alice Kimberly. Ledbetter used a veterinary instrument called a milk tube on Alice, causing lacerations and an embolism. She quickly died of her injuries, leaving her husband with five minor children to raise alone.



For more on pre-legalization abortion, see The Bad Old Days of Abortion

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