The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-31


Alth eus b t,ere may b. some force in the ar
guments used by the opponents Of women's
rights, against females being perm tied to dis
charge the functions of rulers and Legislators,
we zee none In that which would exclude them
from the practice Of med cine-or, at least, Of
such branches of 1t as do not require the exer-
else of any great amount Of nerve The orga-
nization offemales is, perhaps, opposed to their
ever attaining any proficiency in surgical sci
ence; but in therapeutics there is no reason
| Why they should not succeed as well as men.
| As medical skill may be said to be the result
rather Of observation and practice than Of theo-
| retical knowledge, the female mind, when
| properly prepared by previous training, is as
| capable Of receiving and drawing accurate de-
| auctions from outward impressions as that Of
| the other sex. In some respects, even the for
mer possesses superiority, in its proverbial
| quickness Of perception and greater patience.
/ The same qualities that render women the best
nurses Of the sick, would, also, in many cases,
render them the best doctors.
| However inconsistent it may, therefore, ap-
pear at first sight, that such important functions
should be entrusted to female hands, there are
many conclusive arguments that can be urged
in favor Of encouraging the practice Of medi-
| cine by women. Even the members Of the
| medical profession, as at present constituted,
admit the great advantages that might be de-
rived-from their aid. It is well known that a
large amount. Of mortality among females is
occasioned by their repugnance to cali in the
aid ola medical man until, perhaps, the malady
has arrived at q stage In which it can no longer
be arrested. There is large class of female
| diseases to which this remark will apply. Now,
| if there were regularly recognized aud proper
| ly educated female medical practitioners, it is
evident that the fatality attending the great
majority of those cases would be in great
measure checked. Were even the female gra-
! duate only to arrive at such an amount of prac-
teal acquaintance with the diagnostics of
disease as would enable her to act as an intel
hgent and Ineligible medium of consultation
with male member Of the faculty, an impor-
tant point would be gained. Itwssla diminish
If not wholly do away with the reluctance at
present manifested by sentative females to send
for medical aid in cases where all the more
delicate feelings Of their nature are shocked
and revolted by the bare idea of such ne
cessity.
In Pennsylvania, where the experiment Of
female medical college has been tried, it has
been found to work well. Although it might
be supposed to interfere in some degree with
the profits Of the male faculty, and to therefore
encounter strong opposition and discourage
ment on their part, nothing of the sort has oc-
CURED. The two branches Of the profession, in
fact, work in the most harmonious manner to-
gether, for the reason that we have just pointed
out There was a large amount of medical cases
which rarely came within the sphere Of male
practice, and which now afford an ample field
for the exercise Of the skin of the female gradu-
ate. To this her labors are legi6mately con-
fined, and she is therefore not brought into an
invidious and unpleasant competition with the
male members Of the profession. The latter
lose but little by abandoning this delicate and
difficult branch Of practice to female doctors;
and thus all interests are conciliated.
The results already achieved by this new
class Of practitioners sufficiently attest the de-
gree Of knowledge and skill which they have
acquired under the excellent system of training
adopted in the Philadelphia Medical College.
The receipts Of several from their first years
practice were we are told, upwards of one
thousand dollars more than can be said
Of the results Of first years male
probation in the same profession This
difference arises, Of course, from the
existing demand for female physicians, which
none others can so well supply, and demon
strates the benefits likely to result from wider
extension Of similar institutions OF the sys-
tenn pursued in the college itself we cannot
speak in terms of too much commentator. Be-
sides the regular course Of theoretical studies,
there is in connection with the institution Ge-
neral Dispensary and Clinic, which, In large
city like Philadelphia, afford to the stude I
opportunities of witnessing the various forms
Of medical and surgical disease, and enable the
professors to exhibit the practical application Of
the principles taught in their several depar,l
ments The patients are examined, prescribed
for and operated upon in the presence of the
class, each case being fully discussed, and rea-
sons given for every conclusion prescription,
and operation. Frequent opportunities are also
afforded to the students Of attending, und 3
the supervision Of their teachers, cases at the
patients homes In this way the students ar
rive at considerable experience in the diagnosis,
prognoeis and treatment of diseases, and lay
the basis of that more extended knowledge
which can only be derived from long years Of
practice.
There Is also in connection with the college
n large mn sepu the anatomical derar tment ~
which, in addition to the osseous nervous, vas
cular, muscular, and other preparations for
class demonstrations, contains perfect set Of
papier maehf models-a collection of valuable
pathological specimens, and complete series
Of surgical casts and apparatus. The laboratory
cnmnrises all The chemical nrnna rafinns orn.