Daily Yellowstone journal., 1889-04-16
MEDICAL WOMEN.
The Profession Considered from a Ger
man Standpoint.

man Standpoint.
At the annual meeting of the assem-
bly, of German naturalists and ply
s~icians, Professor Waldeyer delivered
an address upon the Practice of Medi-
cine by Women" reported in La Be-
maine Medicale for Sept. 20, 1883. He
~endeavored 10 clear himself from
any accusations of unfairness or
prejudice by referring in compli-
mentary terms TO the talented
women who taught in the school
of Salernum - 20 Louise Bour-
geois, Marguerite de la Manche, Marie
Louise Lachapelle and many others
eminent in the practice Of midwifery.
He also admitted that for many cen
turtles the healing art had been in the
hands Of women and that they had
made valuable contributions TO the
literature of medicine. He believed
that women should hold a position on
a level with that Of men, as their func-
tons and attributes were as necessary
TO the existence and maintenance Of
the human species as those Of mn,
but that their vocation should be ne
rearing and fostering Of child n.
This vocation rendered them every
where and always the equals of men.
Since the number of marriages was
diminishing every year they had nee
essarily been driven into seeking other
duties. Their entrance into medi.
cine, however desirable il might seem
10 them, menaced not only their inter-
ests but those Of humanity at large.
Although their opportunities had been
abundant, they had never advanced
medical science.
Midwifery, for example, which for
many centuries had been almost ex-
clusively in their hands, had made no
progress until ii was taken up by men.
They acquired great manual deXterity
IN the arr, but little else. Women had
never many art created n masterpiece;
even in music, which seemed prop,.iy
10 belong to them, they had done
nothing that might immortalize a
name. Their presences in colleges de.
voted 10 the instruction Of men was a
hind ranceto theteachers and students.
In Laboratories they were unwelcome.
as they were awkward and careless,
the smallest difficulty d-iscouraging
them, and the assistants complained
Of women students who bcsieged them
with i..quiries upon trivial matters.
Charcot, at whose clinics aud lectures
a large number Of women attended.
was quoted as saying that women
thought moro of themselves than they
did of humanity; they consented un.
willingly TO be dressers nj the hospitals
and to carry out a~ntiseptic treatment
occupations for which they would
appear 10 be well suited. They were
too ambitious and aspired 10 the front
rank and TO the most prominent pc.
sitions.
As nature had barred their way 10
roles which they ought 10 fill, Wal
deyer concluded that women doctors
had no future before them and would
never be more than the exception.
Notwithstanding this opinion, lie gave
them credit, curiously enough, for
their excellent memories, their close
attention TO lectures, and their fro
quent ability 10 pass better cxamina-
tons than men. Professor Waldeyer
concluded by stating that II man was
fitted 10 take the initiative for the pro-
duction Of new ideas, If he had more
sequence IN his actions and his plans,
woman, ON the other hand, was more
clearly endowed with other qualities
not less pa ,ious, Il was Therefore in
the interest OF humanity that lac wish
cd that medicine might remain in the
hands OF men.
Notwithstanding Professor wald.