The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1881-05-05
FEMALE PHYSICIANS.
Influence OF Practice on the Domestic Re-
lations Of Vife and Mother.

Though the action of various Legisla-
lures has shown that the dominant sex is
not yet prepared to give women the
equality which full enjoyment of suf-
frage may furnish, the actual extension
of women's prerogatives and employ
ments during the last thirty years is
enough to make the departed advocates
of old time conservatism turn in their
graves. The change is specially marked
in medical circles. Not very long ago
female physician was only heard of in
the ranks of quackery and jugglery. If
mentioned, she was at once classed with
fortune -tellers and humbugs. Personal
incidents are always more forcible than
general statements; hence the address
of DR.. Rachael Bodley, a Cinciunatian
by birth, at the late twenty-ninth COM
mencement of the Women's Medical
College of Pennsylvania, of which sheis
Dean, has unusual interest. The insti-
tuition has PA living graduates, from 1S9
of whom letters have been received in
answer to inquiries sent out. Of those
replying, all but twepty-three are in &C
tive practice. One hundred and fifty
report that they are accorded due social
and professional recognition, and only
seven the contrary. Seventy-six tell how
much they are making, as follows: Twen-
ty-four between $1,000 and $4,000 per
annum twenty between $4,000 and
$1,000; ten between $4,000 and $4,000;
FIVE between $4,000 and $1,000; three
between $1,000 and $4,000; four from
$4,000 to $4,000, and ten less than
81 900. The average is s2,9O7. 80. Six
ty-one answer the question, "What in.
fuence has the study and practice of
medicine had upon your domestic rela-
tion as wife and mother?" Fifty-two Of
the number are married, and of these
forty-fve report favorable" six "not
entirely favorable" and one "unfavora-
ble." Nine unmarried practitioners,
after striking out the words "wife and
MOTHER" reply as follows: In three
cases that their professional duties have
prevented marriage; fourth that she
"has remained single for reasons entirely
distinct from her profession" and seven
others that the interests of dependent
relatives, etc., have kept them in celiha-
cy. The author adds:
Returning to the answers Of married
women, because they possess the greater
general interest, 1 remark that the song
Of domestic life, as l have listened with
ear attent, has been sung in no minor
key. In the melody las the tabulated
statement shows) are few discordant
notes, but these are such as a master
might throw in to enhance the harmonies
of his strain. For example, thoroug hly
conscientious mother writes from her
nursery, where three quiet young chill
dren claim the mother ministry "The
study of medicine is of great benefit, but
the practice often interferes with my duty
to my family" The clear, pure quality
of the replies, as q whole, is truly e1hil:
arating, for example: Purifying and
ennobling. Married physician since I
began practice. Am the mother of a
boy of eight years of age" Another !:
II keep house, and care for husband and
three children as would if not in prac-
tice; perhaps, not quite as we'll, how
ever" Another: ri have not been less
wife or mother. My duties as such
have not been neglected. At times :!
may have been more taxed than if I had
not these duties to attend to-" Another
wife aud mother, whose successful train
ing of three children now in adult life
entities her to an opinion: II think if
the history of tho families of woman
physicians were written it would be found
that their children are wsll cared for,
well trained, we'll educated; all this, and