New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-03-05
CLINICS.
LETTER FROM A MOTHER.

LETTER FROM MOTHER.
TO the Editor of The Tribune
SIR see by the NewYork papers that
Bellevue Hospital again restless under the presence OK
ladies at the clinical lectures Permit me, IN elucidaoh
Of the very delicate questions involved in the JOINT at
tendance OF the two sexes upon such lectures 70 offer
you a recent observation and experience Of my OVID.
Travelling short time with young lady OF sim
Gulsr refinement and culture who was student in
woman's Medical College. she gave me in outline PIC
ture OF the struggle must undergo In order to
acquire the scientific education which every man must
secure before he enter the regular PROFESSION OF
medicine. Having opportunity next day to attend
clinic" in OF the largest hospitals OF the country
iadly svaed myself oft to receive impressions anu
make comments for myself.
The hall was very high and large, in the form OF an
amphitheater with rising from the pit TO the roof
and the pit, which opened in the rear by folding
doors into the hospital was large sylish shedding
perfect glare OF light the patient below the lecturer
and his assistants There about 20 ladies present
Soon after entrance, young woman, Win hlsn,
fair forehead glossy black hair drawn back from her
temples and arranged with exquisite neatness, with
ewes 40 dowucast one could not know their color or ex
PRESTON borne in ON her neatly arranged cot er
disease was rheumatic fever, with marked aud peculiar
symptoms; she considered out OF danger now but
her condition was still somewhat critical-pulse 100
After very minute and clear exhibition of past and
present symptoms by the learned Professor an out
stretched tongue by herself and feeble reply to one or
TWO questions the lecture st went over her pros
trate form and though was greatly interested IN the
very able aud philosophical treatment indicated, could
scarce restrain groau Of impotence that the poor girl
was still detained under this searching light exposed to
the gaze Of these hundred eyes and her sensitive ear
Jared BY tho heavy and necessarily loud voice SO close to
her side Watching her steadfasty from the very begin
nIug | had seen no motion sign OF life, no
curiosity IN her face. sidelong glance from her eye
nothing but absolutely marble face anu eyes hxed on
the bed Judge then what must have been my feeling
when the Professor. in closing said, I'VE Will now no
tce whether there may be fine red rash on the aldo
men," and without word OF permission or warning, he
turned down the clothing OF the bed TO her middle, and
raised the entire clothing OF the patient toward her neck
while he looked closely for the rash which he observed
was not there and which, in the nature OF the case could
have been visible single yard or did not look NJ
the barred body the faces OF the crowd.
which latter should like TO have done My eye was
fixed to intensity that pale face. and suddenly saw
waves OF crimson sweeping round aud round from chin
to brow in quick successive flashes. wave after wave
TIL the ordeal past and then saw such pallor
settle on cheek and lip made my heart stand still with
awe thought her spirit was passing away, and God
willing could have asked nothing better for her. but In
moment or two she revived, and, without raising her
eyes wiped the dampness from her forehead with trem
bling hand aud was carried her cot as she
This Professor followed by another, but in the
intervals change, and indeed between the Incoming or
the patients there the restless crowd at
Bellevue the same little wads of paper were flying over
head smothered Kisses occasionally betrayed themselves.
and general murky atmosphere OF restlessness and
coarseness prevailed
To Dr. A., OF the lecturers. afterward said /"
shall forget the treatment of that girl my dying
day. Thought all the time that if she were my daughter
and surely she must be somebody's daughter and has
true womans heart within her" Oh, but you must not
take things so seriously he replied. Some OF our
patients wouldn't miss these clinics they might Besides
should not Judge them by ourselves they from
different class OF society, and not affected as We
should be-" al cannot think So" said "modesty is as
often found in hut as IN palace and so parted
Entering afterward into close discourse the whole
subject with other who had been present
of them told frankly that within the last hour he had
received new impression OF the demoralzatons OF his
profession ITO tell you the TRUTH said he, that
made no impression whatever, until yOu repro
duced it aiterward; it absolutely professional.
aud in point Of ndehcacy far behind many that have
been accustomed to witness. received shock what
ever"
Meditating on all this. I came to two conclusions:
FIRST That 1t high time that fathers and mothers.
and especially the latter knew precisely the atmosphere
ther sons were breathing when preparing Tor the pra
tice Of medicine and that all women sho ud understand
Guidance in matters pertaining 20 the body. Second:
That Christian civilization should array itself by the side
Ol
staces 10 prepare themselves for the heavy respons
bies OF profession peculiarly their own and should
them TO endure what they cannot prevent or
in their fellow students OF the other TIL
the refining power OF true wOmaDhood Is universally
.
Nothing was palmer 10 my mind during that clinic
than the presence OF true matr0n III that pt can call
nothing else while memory asts would have lessoned
half ts horrors And there great need OF her. quite
outside OF her restraining Influence both teacher and
pupils; for instance poor with an enormous
tumor In the abdomen but able still 20 walk
little and help himself generally. lay uneasly on slip
pery couch with his head ouly half supported ON low
slippery pillow. He tried again and again 10 arrange the
pillow more comfortably for himself, and nc last IL fell
away altogether An assistant finally observed tins, aud
picking IL up. tucked IL awkwardy under the head that
still uncomiortaby low for the poor dcfored body
stand by that and minister to hsn In is trying
am lust certain that he needed sym
pathy aud tender n he u woman. Pain aud
sickness bring all To the same level and moreover,
my friendly doctor agreed with me That men dislike
posture OF their persona almost much women.
No doubt IL Is tlla Ia them also tho sald aud their
feelings should bo regarded as far as possible"
the necessity OF these lectures with the patient
exhibition cannot but admit that they must be very
mpressivea dry detail OF symptoms. general appear
ance voice. tongue Nc would mako no such impression
the living example IN plain Sght-but We ean obtain
only charitable hospitals aud State
Prisons how plain 10 Is that cAgis gives Ina or
ar body Ia the publie however great tho benefit 20 the
the duty OF protecting these helpless ones from all an
necessary e1 posures, aud Offering them al the tender
consideration aud symu,thy No Inay. A MOfnEE,