Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-05-14
WOMEN PHYSICIANS.
The Success that Ate nGs the Sex in
MinisteriMS to Physicai HIS.

MlnlsterlhS to Physical His.
tChicago Tribunel
Though the action OF various legislatures
has shown that the dominant sex is not We!
prepared TO give women the equality which
fIll enjoyment OF suffrage may furnish, the
actual extension OF Women'S preroga JlveS and
sl1p;oyments during the last thirty years is
enough to make the departed advocates of Old
Tine conservatism turn Ia their graves. The
Snahgs Is spec!aiiy marked In medical circles
Not very long ago a female physician was only
heard OF Ia the ranks OF quackeTy anu jug glery.
II mentioned, she was at oncs ciaSSei VITA
IS,,une Iellers and other humougs Personal
statements; hence the address OF DR.. Rachel
Ecdey, C1ncinnatian by birth, at the late
twenty-ninth commencement OF the Women's
Medical College OF Pennsylvania, OF which she
Is dean. has unusual interest. THIS institution
has e44 living graduates. from 1S9 of whom
letters have been received Ia answer to inquiries
tive practice; $50 report that they are accorded
due social and professional recognition, and
only the contrary. Seventy-six tell how much
between 5000 ana s.. 900 per annum; twenty
between $1,000 AMI 50 coo; ten between s., 600
and $1,000; five between 81, 600 and $1,000; three
$4,000, and ten less than 81 900. TIE average
Is $4,000. 80. SiXty-one answer the question:
WHAT influence has the study and practice OF
wife and mother" Fifty two of the number
are married. and OF these forty-five report
favorable" SIX mot entirely favorable" and
H1e ap srsnp NINE ene psas5
mother" reply as follows: In three cases that
their professional duties have prevented mar
riage; fourth that she has remained single
Tor reasons entirely distinct from her profess
sion, and seven others that the interests OF
dependent relatives, ar, have kept them In
ceEbacy. The author adds:
Returning to the answers OF married women,
because these possess the greater general inter-
est remark that the song OF domestic life, as
! have listened with ear aItent has been sung
In, vragvr <1,av
lated statement shows, are few discordant
notes. but these are such as a master might
throw In to enhance the harmonies OF his
tioas mother writes from her nursery. Where
three young children claim the mothers
Of great benefit. but the practice often
The clear. pure quality OF the replies. as a
whole, Is truly exhilarating; for example:
Purified and ensoo!lng. Married physician
boy eight. years OF age.' Another: Il keep
house, and care for my husband aud three chii-
drsn would not in perhaps not
been less wife or mother. My duties as such
have never been neglected. AT times may
have been more taxed than If had NOT these
whose successful training Of three chill
dren, now In adult life, entities her to an
opinion: II think II the history of the
cared for. we'll trained, well educated all this.
and household duties not neglected.
Women who study medicine are watchful and
careful" Another: GAS wife my duties have
never been 1nterfered with; as mother have
been incidentally benefited. My hus-
band is also physician. l am often enabled
and treatment and often ind his advice of
great value to me. We are. mutually, q help to
each other"
On the whole, DR.. Bodley is highly encour-
aged. She calls attention to the small NUMBER
OF deaths among the graduateS-32 out of 276
In .hlrty yeara-as refutattOn OF the idea thai
the female constitution cannot stand the wear
and tear OF medical practice and diiates upon
the usefulness OF the graduates among their
sums up by declaring that 1.-THE inherent vitality
OF the cause is In no manner more thoroughly
demonstrated than In the fact that as the work
eIs fail or sleep new t0ilers arise the ranks close
solidly up, and the work, with accelerated
strength moves on" She has certainly made q
good showing for the Institution with which abe