Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-07-02

watch the wants of these little ones, who
cannot detail their symptoms. In cas-,
Of severe illness, she will require coun
sell for that is always best when those
we love intensely are concerned, as feel
ing is likely to bias judgment. Besides
this, the wisdom which can come only
from experience in practice is desirable
With such counsel, and the care which
an educated mother can give, the chances
for life and health are ten-fold greater
than when loving ignorance presides.
Links, bright and strong, are formed in
times of sickness between the mother
and the invalid, when she is the safe
counsellor. the wise and tender " care
taker." 1t is an old story that mission.
aries find their medical knowledge a
great help to reach the hearts of the
heathen. That the natives listen to the
spiritual truths Christians present be-
cause from them they have received ply
sical relief.
The mother loses much when husband
and children, from lack of knowledge on
her part, must turn TO stranger hands for
care in sickness. We do not mean that
all women can make good doctors or
nrrses--there are diversity of gifts.
But we do mean that wise head and a
warm heart will find many sweet ways of
relieving the sick in her own family
which a.strange hand can never devise.
There is no way in which a family can
be well cared for, unless the mother knows
how, and will "see to things" as my
dear mother used to say. a. -, =
Men of scientific attachments and pro-
fessional experience often say, as they
leave daughter in my care, want
you to look after her, and counsel her as
mother; land then add half apologet-
ically), my wife is an invalid, or she
is not interested in physiological mat
ters is inclined to let girls have their
own way too much, etc.
1t is not uncommon to find cases of
serious chronic diseases among the
daughters of our best physicians. Are
the fathers to blame / trow not, unless
it was in not finding better mother for
the children. While they are engrossed
with public duties, their families some
times suffer for want of sensible, per-
sonal supervision. remember young
woman of marked intelligence and abil-
ity, the daughter of one of the finest
physicians in Central New York, who
was confirmed invalid from indigestion
and constipation; the result ofrieh food,
overeating, and sedentary habits in
childhood When / expressed my sur
prise that the daughter of so eminent n
physician, and one too who had inherited
such an excellent constitution, should be
in such bad condition, she replied,
" My father was busy with his patients;
he left his children to the care of mother,
and she thought if her daughters were
first in the class, excellent in music, nice
with the needle, they we're in the right
way, even if they sat up until midnight,
and ate mince pie just before going to
bed. As to our bodily functions, she
never inquired She seemed to have no
sense of responsibility beyond seeing
that we were genteel young ladies"
We are glad to say that most doctors
have better helpmate in home practice
than the one above alluded to. The wife
of physician, event if she has had no
previous opportunity for gaining medi
cal information, will soon become intel
ligent, If he be apt to teach ? and she
have mind to learn. A loving tutor
will soon lead her to knowledge of the
general lessons of hygiene, to which she
will render cheerful observance But |
the great trouble is that many of our
young women, between fashionable fol-
lies and fictitious reading, have little
time and less taste for more serious pur-
suits. remember a physicians wife,
who, when questioned in reference to
The care of the sick, always replied, II
ion't know, but my husband does" 1t
IS pleasant TO feel that ones husband
Knows, and it is also convenient to know
some things "ones own sci" as child
zen say.
The "art of healing" must always be
. useful one for women, whatever their
lge or condition, until their transfer to
he land where the inhabitants never
iay am sick"
Boston, New York and Philadelphia
,ffer good facilities for the medical edu- !
,ation of women, where they can have |
III desired privacy, excellent lectures,
linical observations, and hospital prac-
ice for women only. Before these can ,
'e OF advantage a good degree Of mental
nd physical.strength must be attained.
he delicate sensibilities fyoung misses
hould not be tried by early attendance
{ medical college, though they may
e cleaning physiological and pathology
al knowledge rom an Intelligent mother :
! private tutor.