The Cairo daily bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1870-1872, 1871-05-31

I
tumultous billow has the longing OF oui
sex been for more fundamental educa
tion and broader sphere Of action extend
| ing over the entire civilized world ant
this longing must be taken into account
when Russia erects colleges for girls and
through an imperial ukase at last are per
mitted to study medicine and practic
gynecology; they also can apply them
selves to the telegraph service and com
mercial branches after that, there IS nc
doubt Of q good result from the useiu
experience Of your Association in thi
direction. In past years Sweden founded
O medical school for women, while Franco
admitted them to the Eeole de medicine
which conferred degrees on Misses Gar
rett and Putnam.
1t is probably known to you that Eng
| land and Russia have two successful prac
Using female doctors, who prosecuted
their studies In Switzerland, the frs
country which offered women the oppor
tunity of educating themselves for ply
sicians. Permit me to cite what has com,
to pass in that direction in America. A:
early as the year lS49, Elizabeth Black.
well graduated at the University of Gene
va in the State Of New York, and In the
year 1851, her younger sister Emily.
Since that time both practice in New
York, having, In connection with their
own little hospital, medical school erect
cd for women, in which they both lecture.
Boston, Philadelphia, Cleveland and Chi
cago likewise, have academies Of the same
nature. In few of them men and wo-
men simultaneously hear the treaties just
as the study Of clinics is in common in our
large infrmaries.
The number Of female practising ply
sicians in America is not exactly known
to me, though dare say that 1t amounts
to 200 at the very least. Many Of these
are family physicians. In this, as in all
other scientific departments, to which
women devote themselves, they have
reached their aim, and have done.much, l
believe, to weaken the established preju-
dice which has naturally gone against
them.
1t would be q remarkable sight to see a
woman with whom it were possible to
study medicine and preserve her effemins-
cy, for practice [doctor'sl must destroy
that ideal loveliness which freshens the
social atmosphere. Yes, she certainly
must be confident and firm, shrinking
from no responsibility her profession may,
lay upon her, but can she not be as gentlee
mindful and sympathetic with these quali-
ties, as without them The physician
should heal not only bodily wounds, but
often indeed will he be trusted with the
pressing burdens of the soul,
which he must en5eavor to dissipa ate
In our war for freedom, while all around
the battle ragged, myself have aided at
the amputation of shattered limbs, and
then, when presence of mind was never
more necessary, thanked God FOR it and
for my womanly hand that could softly,
delicately dry the moisture of the suffer-
er's brow, while: he murmured in feeble
tones: Sister, you will not leave mel
Many maintain that we are too weak
physically to practice medicine; in all
other situations, rs nurses, washcrwUman
and shop-girls, who must stand from early
till late, we have shown ourselves equal 10
it, while we physicians, too, have not
found ourselves weak in moral or physi-
cal respect.
From ancient and modern history we
learn that women weretreated with much
magnanimity and yet with little justice.
1t did not lack gallantry and respect, but
confidence and high estimation they
were protected, but never was the right
conceded of protecting themselves. Sure
ly it is the noblcst, holiest call woman
can fulfill, that Of wife and mother, and
nothing should we wish for more
heartily, than that when they enter
upon it they may be worthy the posi-
ton. We desire marriage, but not mere
ly as a means Of support, not only as a
protection contemplated with weariness,
but cannot think that a worthy man would
consider woman less loveable, or bo
less disDosad IN marry her ~ ahe pere
thoroughly instructed in botany, geology,
chemistry, or anatomy" .n.l
Miss Stafford closeo her animated lecture
with these words: at affords me great
satisfaction to meet here with the mem
bers Of this Association and to find that so
much has been done on your side to make
women competent to FIJI the posts they
seek. can only hope that the day is not
far distant when all places Of instruction
and training, and ell professions shall
stand open to you. have received so
much aid, SO many proofs of kindness from
the professors, doctors, and students here
with whom l had daily intercourse, that
was encouraged to believe that If it were
practicable for the earnest women of Aus
tria to finish at grammar and polytechnic
schools, they would find no hindrance to a
wider course of study. Men fear to make
US independent, because that must bring
about q revolution in the social relations.
The laws of Nature are irrevocable, and
IL woman, in the true sense Of the word,
is mans helpmeet and companion, and
would more closely resemble him, then a
change must by all means take place; but
who can doubt that this reform will bring
blessings to mankind p