Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1875-04-16

Good mocning, Cora, ! have come to
you with good news so salute me as the
bearer Of great joy, which you cannot
fail to appreciate you, who are such an
advocate of woman's improvement, for
her full development of all her powers.
Well, Nellie, you have excited my
curiosity without gratifying it do make
haste toreveal these glad tidings.
Prepare yourself then for an astound-
ing fact, the more astonishing because
it has been granted to us by the q lords
of creation" who, with all their arrogant
presumption plume themselves upon
their superiority over our weaker sex,
and are ever jealous of our advancement !;
but | am still DEPRESSING, so | will tell
the news at once, which is. that Con-
grcss has passed bill permitting woman
to compete with man in the science of
physic, and contribute to the alienation of
all pains that befall our human nature by
the practice of medicine, even in the CAPT
tai of our great nation Now what do
you think of that? But where is your
enthusiasm Don't you see to what it
may lead? / consider it but the first
step on the ladder of promotion. May
we not soon have our representation at
the balot-box? May we not even meet
in legislative halls and aid in forming the
laws, or mount the rostrum and hold
large audiences entranced by the power
of our eloquencc
Nellie, | am sorry to disappoint you,
yet ] cannot fcgn an enthusiasm which |
do not feel. | sincerely regret to hear
the news which you relate, and also your
evident joy of what you naturally think
will be the result. While | admit the
study of the science Of physic must be
one Of the grandest, because so many
doors or departments Of knowledge en-
ter into it, and the practice of medicine
one ofthe noblest professions, which also
affords the opportunity Of doing so much
good by alleyiating the suffcrings of hu-
manity; yet, to be all that is required.
or at least expected of doctor, / would
scarcely think it the proper vocation Of
woman.
That she should study her physical
nature and the laws by which it is regu-
lated readily admit, as such knowledge
prepares her the more effectually to dis
charge the duties devolving upon her
in after life. But so far as | know the
doors Of such legitimate investigation
have never been barred against her; on
the contrary, | think it's portals have
been thrown invitingly open to the stu
dent Of either sex.
But, Cora, you maintain. if mistake
not, that it is woman who should nurse
the sick, rear the young, and administer
comfort to all, does not such knowledge
as is required of a physician better fit her
for the performance Of these duties?
l do not think it is necessary, Nellie,
for her to go through the entire course
Of study requisite to prepare physician
thoroughly to understand his profession,
to enable her to discharge her duties be-
coming true woman. Have you thought
Of all she must endure to understand this
profession 2 DO you know her way lies
through the dissecting room? MethiDks
the very idea Of entering there would
cause shock to the stoutest, maidenly
sensibiity, and startle the strongest
nerve. But suppose she succeeds in re-
quiring sufficient knowledge for her to
practice her profession, and is about to
enter upon her life work, when, being
woman, she meets some one she can love
and become a wife; then, in process Of
time, God sends her an immortal soul to
train for eternity. Could she practice
her profession and not neglect these sa-
cred duties
Pshaw Cora you would have woman