The Portland daily press., 1869-04-22

At recent anniversary of medical col
lege for women in New York, DIR. Willard
Parker, who stands at the head of his pro-
fession in that city. If any man does, gave a
most hospitable welcome to the young col
iege among the medical institutions of that
city. He said that reform surprising all
other reforms of the day, was in progress in
the medical profession, and that this woman's
colege was the only medical institution
which had fully appreciated and acted upon
the subject OF hygiene as the most impor-
tant part of medical treatment. The old
Romans, he stated, had increased greatly the
average of human life by their baths, and
sun treatment and drainage. 1t fell off
again In the middle ages, but in Geneva the
average of human life had been doubled in
three centuries by hygienic science, and in
England now the average of human life was
much increased through the application and
study of sanitary laws. Women, more than
men, were naturally adapted to the study and
application of hygiAnic laws, and almost to
the Jealousy Of sister colleges, the women's
college was the first in America that had a
"protess0rship of hygiene" Whether this
statement be literally tue or not, it is quite
certain that hygiene Is the most important
branch of medical science. As DR.. Parker
says, profound reform in this direction is
probably of more consequence to the bappi-
ness Of mankind, than all the legal, political
and social reforms of the century. 1t Is, in
fact. the direct application of science, not to
cure nor only to prevent disease, but to Gre
ate as perfect health as human circumstances
win allow, by perfecting the conditions and
studying the laws of complete sanity of body
and mind. The first elements of the science
have already heightened human life in all
large cities, saved vast numbers Of young
children, prevented pestilences and foul air
diseases, and directly increased the power
and wealth Of civilized communities. And
in its future development who so fitted for
taking powerful part as women? Their su-
perior finensss Of sense, their delicacy and
close observation, their study of minute
symptoms, and their experience with
children, fit them peculiarly for hygi
enic studies and practice. The hygiene o
every household now depends mainly on wo
man. 1t is she who knows the vital lmpor
tance of sunshine, who first suspects loca
causes of disease, who provides most careful
ly for ventilation and temperature, and il
forever occupied in guarding children or neg
lectful men against hidden sources of sick
ness She is certainly by nature "hygienit
DOCTOR" and it Is in this field especially tha
she will confer such vast blessings on the
community in future.
In the above reflections we bat follow the
train of thought which we find in the New
York Times, but without sharing the half
suppressed skepticism of the article from
which we take the sayings of DR.. Parker
We have no doubt that the medical educa-
tiOn of women, like their education in other
directions, will be followed by greater benefits
than can possibly be balanced by any inciden-
tai evils which the imagination can suggest.
And we rejoice that DIR. Parker has added
the influence of his name in support of their
claim to the study and practice of medicine
Springfield Republican.