The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-02-06
Russian Female DoesorA

Frou tAs New Y0k san
Russia. though the last government TO
permit woman to study medicine, vas tho
Srst to officially invite them to profession
al service in the field. In the late Turko-
Russian war-the frs. Russian War in
which only Russian doctors were employ
ed-semale physicians cheerfully perform
ed the duties assigned to them. The first
commencement, Of the 81. Petersburg me-
deal college for woman. the only institu-
ton Of the kind in Russia. took place dur
ing the war, and the students OF the last
fifth course Was put on the field ct duty
before they had passed the final cxamina-
ton OF IS women Of the graduating class.
u agreed 10 go the scene Of action IN
Turkey. where they were distributed IN
different hospitals as Junior assistant sur
geops, Just like the male students Of the
graduating class. In order TO show what
they had 20 do. we quote from letter Of
one Of the ladies attached 20 the hospital
near Pleyna. the principal hospital far
wounded men: I'VE settled, she says.
Tin a village, living in the poor shanties.
half filed with corn, oats or barley. and
destitute Of the comforts Of civilized life.
We had no beds and slept on the mating
laid upon the earthen hcor. There was
no glass in the windows. and 50 We were
exposed to the winds and rain. We had
the most friendly relations with the Bull
Iarians. whose language We could easily
understand. In the night OF the 26th Of
August we were awakened by the thunder
OF cannon. the beginning OF the battle OF
Plcvna. and II increased TIL the roar vas
Sail If
wounded soldiers soon made their appear
ance. ! am unable TO describe the I'M
preston made on me by the sight Of sew
eral thousand manned victims; but the
scene will remain forever IN my memory.
While helping one Of the poor fellows,
hundreds are waiting for you: and at last
scious of your inability 20 help any more;
but soon again your energies ar. excited
anew We could find rest for only three
or four hours out Of the 70. We had hut
go beds, and there were about 700
divided into three groups. One group
operated. the other dressed the wounds.
the third applied the Paris plaster banda
ges; and this last was tn. most difficult Of
all. applied over 30 Of these banda
gcs. Twice the car visited our hospital.
distributed crosses and tried 10 cheer up
the patients He thanked the lady doc
tors for their services. In the hospital We
performed the same iuties as our mascu-
line colleagues; we diagnosed. operated.
classified the patients. gave prescriptions
and issued the hospital or,lers. In the
other hospitals similar duties were per
formed by our mates" The successful
work Of the Russian female doctors dur
ing the war overcame the opposition Of
the most obstinate professional opponents
TO female medical education. The czar
himself was witness Of the full ability
Of women 10 perform the doctors duty I'M
der the most trying circumstances. Tho
81. Petersburg medical college for women
was established in 1872. lts Programme.
is the same us that Of the male medical
colleges. Women must be gradua-
ties of some literary college, must pass
Preliminary examination. and must study
medicine I'm the collegel during Eve
years. Then they pass the final exsmina-
ton, and If -uccessful. receive the diploma
Even this, however. does not entitle them
10 the degree Of N. D.. 10 secure which
they must subsequently, write an original
thesis on some medical subject. and pas
a special. an enlarged. and a mor- severe
examination. Last year ther- yer. over
40 women in the 81. Petersburg female
medical college. and over 20 had passed
through the final examination.