Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1869-11-18
Female Medical students.

Female Medical Students.
We noticed the fact few days since
that the male students of the University
of Pennsylvania and Jefferson College had
positively refused to attend the clinics at
the Pennsylvania Hospital SO long as the
female students of the Woman's College
were suffered to be present. Some OF
these same young gentlemen have been
charged land the charge remains unrefut-
ed,) with grossly insulting the lady stu
dents at one Of the clinics. In order that
the nature of the indignities offered the
lady students may be fully understood,
we subjoin the following account of the
disgraceful affair from the Ledger:
When the classes were dismissed, the
male students, numbering between two
and three hundred, left the lecture room
In advance of the ladies', and arrnged
themselves along the footwalks leading
from the hospital buildings, inside the
inclosure, to the Eighth street gate
At this point several propositions were
made by the male students to "give the
pass along" to "give them a round of ap-
plause." to take off their hats" &c, &c.
Soon after, the ladies, to the number of
about twenty-five, came along; and as the
male students, numbering about two hun
dred and fifty, occupied the whole of the
footwsy ON both sides, the ladies were
compelled to take the cartway. AS they
passed modestly along over the rough
cobble stones the male students began to
'hurrah." and jeer, and clap their hands !;
and while some were engaged in this
mock applause, others Kissed. To all this
the ladies paid no attention, but passed
quietly through the gate.keeper's lodge
into Eighth street, and continued on to-
ward Chestn ut, followed by large number
Of male students, who formed a mock pro-
oes-'on behind them for several blocks.
This has raised such a storm about their
ears, as they doubtless do not desire to
increase, and if they retain any self
respect, their conduct in the future
will partially atone for the out
rage These same students virtuously
claim that the clinic is an improper sub
iect for mixed auditory of ladies and
gentlemen, and that frequently the pres
enoe of the former would embarrass the
professors, who would not feel authorized
to enter into the usual elaboration Of de-
tail necessary to full comprehension OF
the lecture. This is answered by the in
controyertible assertion that those cases
In which it might be improper for ladies
to be present do not number fine in one
hundred, and that the lady students do
not desire TO attend when such cases are
being investigated. In the particular in
stance under consideration there are two
clinic days during the week The stu
dents of the Woman's College ask permits
sion to attend but one of these lectures,
80 that it is not at all probable that the
professors would select an improper sub
ject for the day when the presence of the
ladies was expected.
The Philadelphia Press which cham
pions the cause of tho lady students, thus
summarily deals with the question OF
propriety raised by the male students
against the admission of the former:
"But there is another argument, So
called, which is based upon a tender re-
gard for the modesty of the women stu
dents. 1t is said they have Nd right to be
present because they necessarily sacrifice
the dellcacy which belongs to their ma
lures by it, This can be nobody's bust
ness but their own, if they are of age, or
If minors, are present by consent of pa
rent or guardian. Spirited young ladies
will scarcely admit the absolute right OF
the male students to exercise a tutorshiI
over them in respect to the rules of pro
priety. Between the two sexes there
should be a reciprocity of feeling, 6
moderate concession of the right anc
ability of each to decide their own pro
prieties, but not one another's. Ii, how
ever, the right to decide the limits O.
women's modesty is insisted upon by the
male students, then we are driven to the
assertion that they have proved their emf
nent unfitness for the exercise OF sucl
right. But out upon the argument from
beginning to end Granted the right O
woman to study medical science, who il
absurd enough to deny her the means O
so doingP Above all, who is absurd
enough to interpose the obstacle O.
modesty-a quality which is elegant ant
attractive when the woman is a creature
of society, but which, in its conventions
sense, might Just as readily close the eye
and ears Of every mslestudent at lectures
or the lips of every professor, as debar tn
opposite sex the privileges of student
ship. theoretically speaking, Their
Is nothing immodest in science
and scientists who insist that Their,
is are inapprec!ative, to say the
least. If all the medical students could
be endowed with proper conception q
the work they have in hand, they woulo
quickly part with all restricting observ
ances, would lose their personality in the
great search for truth, would be trans
ported to that ideal sphere where mind
holds communion with the Infinite, and
where no unclean thought Is allowed *
enter. They would drink in the ultimate
aim and scope Of scientific revelation, and
b 20 absorbed in their philanthropic mis-
don - to pass beyond the trammels Of
custom, rank, sex and occasion. Thought
would commune with thought, mind viii
mind, soul with soul. What have petit
coats sna pants, waterfalls aud hseds . \
Hssuau, lsodssty and naecnlinity, to 4
with al shisP The question need only b
iu6Elx - As.lh se1ata1+ - auGGast II