The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-11-20
THE PHILADELPHIA MEDICAL MIDDLE

The embroglio in the Medical Depart
ment of the University Of Pennsy lvana at
Philadelphia, has drawn out ever general
and various comments from the press OF the
country. We have seen none that more
clearly express Our views than the '"1'"-
ing from the St. Louis Republican. 1t II
much to be regretted that that obvious line
betweeo courteous dissent from others &C.
,io,s mr. opinions, and rudeness Of speech
and i'll breeding in manners, can not be DIS
c.rned even by all educated and protested
gentlemen. If the young women insist on
ENJOYING right which has been accorded
them in the Institution in common with
geatlcmen without blushing for science sake,
II agemg that the harder faced mascu!lnes
could endure the trial. The rudeness al
any rate could not have emanated from
outraged dihidence or modesty on the part
of the males, for a man who is so modest
that he can not witnesses an anatomical
demonstration in common with female OBJ
seryers, is certainly too modest and efiemin.
ate to insult or rudely treat woman:
The city Of brotherly love and broad
br,mmed hats is lust now undergoing the
throes Of II social agitation, such as Wac
never dreamed of in the sedate and peace
ful philosophy of William Penn. The faculty
Of PeuEsyIvnnia University having decided
on the admission of females who desire to
pursue their medical studies with the advan
ruges which that long established institution
affords, a number of ladies presented them
selves at the hospital to witness an import
ant operation performed This operation
was one that required some exposure on the
part of the subject which could not be other
wise than embarrassing to spectators of the
gentler sex, but they endured the ordea
calmly, and with an evident determination
to allow no scruples of false modesty t.
stand in the way Of advancement in the pro
iession they had deliberately chosen. TIT
male students, instead of mauifesting gen
tlemsnly appreciation Of the difficulties O
the case, and preserving a decorus silence
improved the opportunity for displaying
their innate backguardsm, by INDUCING il
all sorts unseemly outcries and dIscourteou
remarks. Finding this Of no avail, nun
toned themselves at the door of the hal
and when the ladies made their exit salute
them with yels and osths of the Coulest 4,
scripUons, forcing the unprotected womC
70 run the gauntlet of abuse and ontral
until out Of hearing. When this fact hi
been accomplished the perpetrators Of
met and resolved that they would attend Il
more clinicaI lectures until females we're eG
Guided from the hospital.
From what we know Of the temper of III
faculty Of Pennsylvania University, they ar
not likely to yield the point, but having take
the step will follow il to its Logical concl
slons with that inhexibIe hrmness which b.
longs to the Quaker character. And, thong
nospecla ad ocate Of strong minded female
We hope the result will confirm our expects
tons. Whether it is beat for women
partially unsex themselves in order
become doctors, is an open question whiC
we do not care to argue; but whether ma
students of medicine should insult thol
who are anxious to purchase knoWedg
even at so high price, is not an open que
ton. None but a rutian would pursue sue
course, and the behavior we have notice
IS utterly and irredeemabe dsgraceful, an
will have an entirely different effect on ii
public mind from what the authors intende
or imagined. Sympathy and suppo
always 60 with the weaker party, and one
two more similar exhibitions Of i'll breedr
will create a popular sentiment in behs
Of female doctorhood against which
medical college in the land viii dare to co
its doors