The New York herald., 1878-03-27
MEDICAL EDUCATION OF WOMEN.
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE IN coNNzcrroN WITH
Ir-NEcEssIry OF TRAINED NURSES IN HOS

WHAT HAS BEEN DONE IN coNNEorIoN WITH
Ir-NEcEssIry OF TRAINED NURSES IN HOS
PIrALs.
The Union League hall was comfortably filled
last evening. the occasion being public
meeting OF "The Association Tor the Ad-
vancsment OF tho Medical Education OF Women. F"
Twotnirds OF those present were ladies'
Shortly after eight O'Clock the chair taken by
Mr. william 4. Dodge Jr He expressed the satisfaction
II gave hun 10 preside such q meeting, aud said
that whatever difference OF opinion there might be rs
10 the rights oil they were all agreed that IL
her royal right TO for humanity In sickn
and trouble He spoke OF the necessity trained
the hospitals aud added that TO provide such
was ono Of the objects OF the association.
Mr. Robert b. Roosevelt the first speaker He
said that had been stated by high medical author
ity that the majority OF women suffer from disease
through thef lives which In most cases entirely
curable II properly understood and treated. There
why women should DO moro delicate
than mon. They were mistressss OF their own ume
and could give every attention 10 the cnre
OF thc,r health but In the pursuit OF money had
to undergo exposure and submit TO confinement,
which certainly could not be beneficial 70 heatb The
fact stared them in the lace that female sex
lar beneath what It should be IN physical
strength Tho deplorabe state Of Ill health,
he was convinced was largely due 10
Of their own sex. In violent cases whore tho kpiio
had be used, the services of mans strong nerves
should not be neglected, but IN The mder forms OF
trouble woman the most suitable attenoant on
her They were more apt 10 get at the bottom
stood higher in their profession than tho women
doctors OF New York. aud he gave all honor to these
who stood by them IN their efforts After speaking OF
the suabihty of women for tho duties OF and
the objection physicians, account Of the
idea that they not properly qualified ana show
ing hat wus being done toward combating the lat
ter hc quoted IN proof OF the modesty OF female pa
tions tho means taken In France, where suicide WINS
aimos, an epidemic among women. 10 put a stop to
should be exposed naked 10 tho gaze OF tho pub
Iic. Suicides were aIterward rare happenings.
Dr. Emily Blackwell related the history OF the
movement for tho medical education OF women. II
began In 1S49 when her sister gained degree IA this
In the practice OF branches Of the profession, notably
at water cures but IL was then tho privilege ana
sponsibes Of sho pro'ession were conleprsd Ior
Blackwell applied for the position Of attend
ing physician in ono Of the city dispensariee,
but her application was denied, ON the ground that II
granted Il would Interfere with the harmony OF
the working OF tho institution. That refusal sug-
gestsd the idea Of womans dispcnSary and IN 1857
q small hospital containing but ten bods. was
opened in Bleesker street. That was the first
Of ms kind in America Thero were two
Boston and tho other at Philadelphia
Female students wsre allowed TO graduate.
without having ever stood at the bedside Of
a sick patient. The New York Hospital provided for
that want. ana the best known women physicians Of
liar institutions PhladoIpha, Boston and Chicago
She then related tho efforts which had been made
affiliate tho Now York Hospital With some OF tho
larger colleges and how they had all failed
DR.. Mary Putnam jacob read paper on the future
aims OF the association
Mr. Dodge then announced that lists would be
passed around to which those present wishing TO join
the association might sign their names.
Colonel T. W. Higginson was tho last speaker. He
related several amusing anecdotes which he paid
high tribute TO tho medical profession He told OF
the services OF Clara Barton with the army oil the
Potomac and Of those Of Mrs. Lander In South Caro-
lima Medical training for women was In tho cou rse
OF the progress OF The world and II was q movement
which was bound to succeed.
The meeting then dispersed.