The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1877-06-22
LECTURE.

LECTURE.
DELIVERED BY DIR. cLEMENcE s. LozIER AT
THE ANNUAL REUNION OF THE NEW YORK
MEDICAL COLLEGE FOR WOMEN, OCT. Il, 1876.
Now and then the world is convulsed
by violent revolution, which, for the
time being, overturns everything, and
brings with it, in addition to all the
good which is accomplished, a great
train of evils. But for the most part,
revolutions come gently and silently.
We do not know that the thing is being
done until we are enabled to look back
and perceive that it is done. The pro-
cess has been evolution, instead of revo-
luton. So it has been with woman's
introduction into the literary and scien-
tific pursuits. Through all the ages ex-
ceptional women have been poets, ar
fists, historians, and authors. The
healing art has largely been practiced
by women, especially that of midwifery,
until the last few hundred years, when
the profession and practice of medicine,
and even midwifery in this country,
fell into the hands of men. If we look
back only for thirty years, we shall re-
alize that it is in our own generation
that women have obtained recognized
and a thoroughly respected place in the
literary and scientific world. The term
"blue- stocking" applied to learned
women, did not loose its sting until
very recent period; and it was more
than hinted, and truly so, that our lit
erary women had often ink -blacked fin
gers and undressed hair, untidy houses,
etc. When from diligent labor money
returns came in, these small delin-
queDces soon corrected themselves. To-
day the novelists in England and Amer
lea can be told off, considering not only
numbers but excellence, a woman for a
man, man for a woman, through the
whole list, while George Eliot, a man
in name and a woman in nature, stands
supreme over all. Almost every news
paper of note has woman on its staff,
while correspondents and reporters of
the same sex are like the daisies of the
field for multitude. In the study and
practice of medicine women have dis
bersed the many fears of their friends,
in consequence of enlarged knowledge.
Their own health, and that of their
families, has been better cared for, and
much useful hygienic knowledge i'm
parted to their female patients. Thirty
years ago there was not a dozen thor
Oughly educated women in medicine in
the world. I mean those holding de-
grees from any lawful medical college.
And to-day they are to be found in most
of the large cities of civilization, and in
most Of our missionary stations we have
women physicians. Some of the largest
and best schools of medicine in our own
country admit women to all their lee
lures, and confer equal degrees to merit,
regardless of sex. The Gar of Russia
has opened every institution of learning
equally to men aud women. No hu-
man being should be hindered in earn
ing an honest living for want of knowl-
edge.
1t is we'll known that believe in the
co-education of the sexes. But all can
not see as do. Therefore, am happy
to labor as best 1 may in the medical
education of my sex. Surely the need
of women for intelligent medical atten-
tion from physicians of their own sex
has been long felt and acknowledged by
fha haSf pooy, Of tho
The fields of literature and medicine
are conquered for women. There are nc
longer bars or distractions of any sig.
niicance in the way. A woman who
has anything to say or do is privi-
legged to say or do it, and if her saying
and doing fills demand of the worlds
need, in due time it will find recognition
Nevertheless, there are women, mum,
bers of them, who think that they arr
hindered or prevented in some way by
the disabilities of sex from winnin;
wealth and reuown in these fields
They would have US believe that be-
cause they are women men delight t.
place every obstacle in their way. The,
also tell Us that because they are wive
and mothers they have neither time no
opportunity. What folly Have no
our best women writers and doctor
been, most of them, wives and mothers
And are not men doctors and writers
most of them, husbands and fathers
If they are not, they should be. The
should be, if they would gain the dear
est, truest perceptions of human need
and human affairs, so that they shal
become qualified to speak words of wis
dom aud sympathize most fnlly wit
their sorrowing, suffering fellow-crea
tnres. A class of celebate doctors an
writers is no more to be desired than
celebate priesthood.
1 find it difficult to say what 1 have {
say, especially to women, since, as be
fore remarked, believe in the co-edu
cation Of the sexes. What is desirabl
for man to learn is equally desirabl
for woman. That course of training fc
the development Of mind and hear
which seems especially necessary for
woman, will not come amiss for a mar
It is said there is great deal of huma
nature in both men and women Tt