New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-01
HIGHER MEDICAL CULTURE.

WOMEN TO HAVE LARGER OPPORTUNITIES.
ANA or THE ASSOCIATION FOR TuE ADVANCEMENT
op THE MEDICAL EDUCATION OF woMEN-PRE-
IIMINARY EXAMINATIONS, EXTENSION OF THE
TERM or STUDY. AND INCREASED FACILITIES IN
LABORATORIES URGED.
The Association for the Advancement OF the
Medical Eiucaton OF Women has originated IN vide
spread feeling that the presence OF women among the
classes devoted to tho art Of healing was fact tbat
henceforth could be modified but not set aside. Inc
battle that ragged dnrDg tho last 10 years over the
admission of TO the medical profession mas oeeh
occasoned only by their previous exclusion from posi-
tion which they occupied In former times From TINS
position they fell. rather driven, when medical
schools became affiliated with universities, and when
the State nterfered forbid the practice Of medicine OK
cept upon conditions which practically excluded women
They refused admission 10 the unverstes because
these generally developed from nonas
teries under m0Dastic Influences AS coon,
therefore, university education became important or
essential to physicians women became unable 70 hoid
their place In the intellectual ranks OF the latter; they
fell grae to grade finally combining themselves to
the most services manual abors OF
the art therefore degeDeraed IN their hands, 1t
body without SOUL and % such was gradually
extlngushed.
The constant turmoil that has agtaed the centuries
since the Renaissance and the urgency OF questions that
society than that OF the share Of women In the priv
leges OF It's highest abOrs have pushed into the back
ground any dssa sfacon that might have been felt with
this state things Here and there special vocation
made itself felt; an exceptional character or intellect
won for itself hOnorcd position among its cotem-
Joraries, invention or treatise was even handed
down pOserty. Tlere to-day IN the Aston Library
10 10 volume Medical Botany, written In England
IN tie eighteenth century, by Elizabeth Blackwell.
Rut Vh her descendant,
requested fifteen twenty years ago TO be admitted to
study OF medicine in the Ulited States there was
general howl OF drsOn, and dozen colleges shut their
doors in the face Of the aspran Thanks, however TO
the heroic pers Of the modern Elizabeth Black
WE'LL the howl OF derson has died away, only mutters
soto in remote Preiudces survive In oil
degrees, but the most serious obstacles IN the
way OF women to-day do not lein opposition, nor
prcuiices nor even in the profound moral convictions
Of opposed TO them, but 10 she lack OF
knOwedg OF those who anxious to facilitate their
urogrss The general indifference 10 this country In or
Of the profession, to the establishment OF such
Of medical education exist 10 the rest OF tue
civilized world seems to have been intensified among
those who have attempted TO educate women Even uthe
best effort has been thought necessary
that required to initiate the defective systems now
Obtaining in mems schools. Women admitted into the
profession after an interior training were submitted
almost inevitably to criticism which only superior
could enable them 10
under which to-day frequently begin the study
Of medicineIsad vanages, however, which are lessen
ing every year-render necessary more careful and
philosophical education to secure the same average re
suits.
Tie movement that has been initiated BY the Associ
alton just formed for the advancement OF the medical
education OF IL therefore perfectly logical and
ura Article Of the constitution OF the Asso-
citation declares that the object Of the Association
all n IN rails he d slc
Any person may become member by the annual pay
ment OF S. upward toward its funds An article in
tne bylaws invites persons Interested IN the objects OF
the ASSOCIATION to unite In groups Of four five, who
shall collectively subscribe $780, All money raised by
gift subscription will be devoted TO enarging
of instruction at present given at the Inrm
AIRY Blackwell College, as to enable this institution
TO work the basis OF endowed school. Only
schools entirely pendent OF the fees the caprces
aud the Ignorance OF students assume the difficult
and expensive responsibilities OF o really superior edu
cation. The Association has already begun its work
At Il meeting held at No. ITO West Thirty fourth-st
report was read by Chairman Of the Committee on
.ucaiioH, Or. Isaac adler This report compares the
systems OF medical education England, France Ger
many, and America. The Philadelphia Female Medical
College and the New York Infrmary, popularity known
the Blackwell College, are tue only regular schools
especially devoted to Some points OF Dr.
Adlcs report may be interesting to many beside those
who have at heart the medical education OF women.
In regard the preliminary conditions required OF
those desiring 10 become students Of medicine, Dc.
Adler states in France every applicant for regra
tion mt the ole de Medicine must either be Bachelor
OF Science 10y having passed the requisite examinations
IN Latin, mathematics, and the elements OF physics,
Zoology, chemistry. and botany, or else graduate OF
recognized foreign medical school. In Germany the
candidate must have certificate Of maturity" e.,
OF graduation from gymnasium, which signifies that
he has passed thorough examination in Latin Greek
history q rmtn literature, and mathematics as far
aDalytic geometry; implying requirements about
equal those OF Columbia College student at the end
OF his JUNIOR year In Great Britain testimonial of
proficiency, consisting either OF certain degrees from
one OF the univetsi.:rs OF certificate Of examination
from certain spec ID medical, surgical or 8potdecaes
colleges or Brt,h colonial or foreign literary bodies IS
required OF the stent before he enter Of the
large public med al schools of the kingdom. In America
however no preliminary examination or testimonials
are r. CURED from candidate for entrance TO tue med
cal schools or colleges
In neither France, Germany, nor Great Britain IL inc
period during which can complete medical studies
and lake the degree OF Doctor less than four years
yhe ia some tie schools Of these countries longer
time is required. liz America three wears study Is de-
minded under the guidance OF some duly qualHed ned'
cal prac tioner ynch may include the time spent al
he college where Winter sessions only arc required
la the WOmans Col 20 of the NeW-tULk uh!Haay'
In Wcyar attendance at least three Winter sessions
or two winter aud two Summer sessions, Is required.
Tue next point OF comparison Is tne gtid"tioh OF
thr various studies. Here again Dr. Adler hnds Amer
can c,l-ges deficient In most OF them, except har
virI clinical medicine pathology, g. are all studied
at once before thOrOuSh acquilhld GO WIN anavnS
and other rudmcutary branches can be OBTAINED, WINE
a. EIrnnnnn schools "a arefnl systom OF gradatiou l.
tnuowrd IL the New-YOrk InHrmary studehIs are ad-
Xsed to grade tueir course, but 1t 10 practically iet TO
their own OptlOG. ,-- .., - ooob
examinations France take place at the END OF each
f bc rst three YEATS besides the examinations Tor tue
of hospital Ierns ieTe, aud during the
last year course nve examinations Ior the uoclo
ME are under gone, including written dlspuaon anu
tncsIs In Germany the student passes severe eAanl-
nation al the end OF the second year IN the ruimehs
of cneinstry, botany mincralogy, ana z0OOHy, III
cnnnnrAIiYe anAtnmY human anatImy ana pnyslOIOsy,