New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-05-14
THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIAIION.
The American Medical Association, which
represents the weight and gravity of conserva-
tive Allopathic practice in the country, closed,
last Saturday, its General Convention, which
was held this year in Philadelphia. Practical
measures were adopted with regard to the
establishment of Schools of Hygiene, the
formation of O national system of quarantine,
the discOntinuance, as far as practicable, OF
alcoholic stimulants, &c. The Association, be-
fore the harmonious close of its session, suf-
fered thrill of horror, however, at discover
ing the inroads which the ubiquitous Woman
had made within its sacred Enclosure. Its dis
may and perplexity were akin to those of
Robinson Crusoe when he caught sight of the
savage footprint on the island where there had
so long been none his right to dispute. How
to deal with poisons the good doctors had
settled Just before by q whisk of the
clerks pen. But the woman was
different matter. There was, apparently,
no antidote to this bane. The only remedy
they can devise is to treat the Female Doctor
as they did the leprosy of old, and thrust not
only her, but all who come in contact
with her, as unclean, without tho
camp. Certain Hospitals, Medical Associ-
atoms and Howard Institutions were indicted
as having tempered in some sort with the ac-
cursed thing, and each in turn found voice
Indignantly to deny the accusation; or, If their
skirts were too soled for concealment, to drug
others down with them into the mire. One
College was found guilty of two fair Bob
Sawyers among its students; another, of
lady ophthalmic surgeon. Out they all went
together the doors of the Association are
forever barred on them. No matter what
their rank OF dignity, they are left to find in
the darkness and cold of outer limbo what
comfort they may in golden-haired graduates.
Now, there is no class of men for whose wis
dom we have in ertremis the respect and
awe which we give to these very sages who
have Just adjourned in Philadelphia. We are
quite willing that they should deal with us,
body and bones, at their pleasure at the very
gate of death. But we hold that they are just
as incapable of managing their own affairs
with discretion as they are skilled in taking
care of ours. The grave body of AlOpaths
frowned, and prescribed, and prosecuted the
Hahnemann heresy into notice and. power;
they are following precisely the same policy
with the women. Whether the human body is
most susceptible to cure by means of boluses,
OF pellets, or by male or female M. DIS, is not
for us to decide; but of one thing we are
certain that ideas are neither measles nor
smallpox, and will not be forced out of the
public mind by any system of arbitrary
purges or emetics. Our respected friends are
too much in the habit of dealing with but one
kind of evil. They meet heresy with as
downright disapproval as they would cancer,
and have as little idea of sitting down to rea-
son with it. 1t is not likely that the action
of this Association, though the most authori-
tative yet taken, will affect the matter one
whit. Any innovation which processes to be
based on reason and common sense, II 1t is
not met by reason and common sense Is not
met at all. This question has nothing to do
with woman's right of suffrage. Many unem-
ployed women, in want both of means OF live
lihood and use for their brains, claim that the
PHYSICIANS profession lies in every particular
within their grasp, and a still larger body
would prefer to be attended, especially In a
certain class of ailments, as women are in
other countries, by practitioners OF their own
sex.
Now this is q matter which not only lies
wholly in the province OF women to settle,
but which they will settle IN the end TO SUIT
themselves, and all the frowns and anathemas
of the lords of the lancet have not yet touched
the question either as to reason or expedi-
ency The wiser plan would be to open the
freely 10 one sex as the other. II the limo
walton ia good, it deserves success; If BAD, 1t
will destroy itself. Female doctors, like water
and everything else in this just world, will
find their own level soonest IL let alone.