The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-06-15
SEX IN SCIENCE.

From the N. Y. Tribune
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-
vaniab Medical Society met at Williamspert yes
terday, 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 associa-
tion 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 asso-
citation.
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 devoted to the educs-
ton of women in this profession,
and it is impossible for the strictest
conclave of Galens to deny the fact that we'll
trained and accomplished doctors are coming
out of them every year. 1t is merely an ex-
hibition of puerile spite for the learned gem
tlemen 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 a critical case where physician had re-
fused to consult with respectable female
doctor, the patient should die with the sound
of that refusal ringing in the ears of surH-
| vors, it requires no gift of prophecy to tell
us on which side will be the gratitude and on
| which side the resentment.
1t is this question, whether they shall bru-
tallyssadhere to mouldy 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 sue
cessful 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 unwhole-
some quasks who at once disgrace the honor
able names Of woman and physician. Let
the rule of qualification be as strict fol
| the one sex as the other. Let sol
ence and not sex be the criterion to
judge them by. Despite some temporary
| 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
surmounted SO many obstacles to prepare
themselves for their work. But there should
be no element of gallantry or compassion in
troduced into the consideration of theil
cases. We ask for them, as they ask fol
themselves, nothing but justice, administered
with due regard to the interests of the af
flicted and no tenderness whatever to the
candidates. Science, not sex, is the test
women physicians cannot afford to ask fo
more; the Pennsylvania Medical Society can
not afford to grant less 1t may fail to NEE
the issue now; bat it will only have the NOR,
of its own words to eat and of its own per
versity to undo in the certain and near future