New-York tribune., 1871-06-14
SEX IN SCIENCE.

The question of sex in the medical profess
sion is not yet settled, and probably never
will be until it is arranged on the principles
of Justice and common sense. The Pennsyl-
vania Medical Society meets at WilliamspOrt
to-day, and an effort will be made by some of
the most liberal and most prominent physi-
clans of the State to effect repeal of the rule
which prohibits members of the Association
from consulting with women, from teaching
them, and from consulting with physicians
who do, on pain of expulsion. 1t is to be
hoped that this silly relic of another day will
be promptly discarded by the Association. =
The question of the education of women in
medicine is no longer an open one. People
may still discuss the prOpriety and the wisdom
of women studying medicine and surgery, but
the fact is now beyond their grasp. There
are several respectable Medical Colleges de-
voted to the education of women in this pro-
fession, and it is impossible for the strictest
conclave of Galens to deny the fact
that well-traned and accomplished doctors
are coming out of them every year.
1t is merely an exhibition of puerlle spite
for the learned gentlemen to say they
will not recognize these ladies as
practitioners 1t will not materially injure the
women doctors. Those who wish to employ
them will do so with all the more alacrity If
their favorites are thus made the object OF a
stupid and illiberal prescription. If in q
critical case, where a physician had refused to
consult with a respectable female doctor. the
patient should die with the sound of that re-
fusal ringing in the ears of survivors, 1T re-
quires no gift Of prophecy to tell us on which
side will be tho gratitude and on which side
the resentment
It is this question, whether they shall bru-
tally adhere to a moldy tradition, to the dis
advantage of the profession and the danger
of the sick, or gracefully admit what every
body knOws-that there are ladies qualified to
practice medicine in a reputable and success
full way. When they have done that they
can betake themselves with the more vigor to
the extirpatiOn Of Charlatanry in all its
branches. No one will understand that in
what THE TRIBUNE has said on this subject
there is any justification for the unwhOlesome
Quacks who at once disgrace the honorable
names of woman and physician. Let the rule
of qualification be as strict for the one sex as
the other. Let science and not sex be the
criterion to Judge them by. Despite some tenn
porary Inconvenience we are assured that
more good than harm will result from the
entry into the ranks of the regular faculty of
those clever and devoted women who have sur
mounted 80 many obstacles to prepare them
selves for their work. But there should be no
element of gallantry or compassion introduced
into the consideration of their cases. We ask
for them as they ask for themselves, nothing
but Justice, administered with due regard to
the interests of the afflicted and no tenderness
whatever to the candidates. Science, not sex,
is the test women physicians cannot afford to
ask for more; the Pennsylvania Medical Society
cannot afford to grant less. 1t may fail to
meet the issue now; but it will only have the
moro of its own words to eat and of its own
perversity to undo in the certain and near
future.