Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-06
WOMEN OF THE CONVENTION.
some Ladies Who Are Notable Figures
Among the Attendants of the Sessions.

Some Ladies Who Are Notable Figures
Among the Attendants of the Sessions.
Mrs. NJ E. Gaillard. who owns and publishes
Gddt0Ids Medical Journal, is the only woman
who ever published a similar periodical. and
her journal is besides the oldest publication of
its kind in this country. Her husband, who
died about eight years ago, began the publica-
ton and editorship of the magazine nearly
twenty years earlier. He lost his arm in the con-
federate service and being thus debarred from
active service. or as a medical teacher in which
branch both himself and his father before had
grown famous, removed from his home in Rich
mond to New York. The Medical Journal had
a widespread reputation at his death and his
widow took up the work and still carries it on
with success. DIR. George Tucker Harrison and
DIR. Simon Barruch are its editors and DR.. c.
5. Cole and Dr. E. Gaillard Mason
associate editors. Mrs. Gaillard is
verv modes. in talking about her Jour-
nal and says all the credit is due to its
able editorship. She. however, contributes to
its pages, and an editorial in the May number
on recent criticisms on the naval medical
service. of which she is the author. proves she
Is thoroughly abreast OF this many sided aues-
tion-the difficulty of filling vacancies in the
grade OF assistant surgeon i'll the naval service.
Mrs. Gaiiiard Is a southern woman. has q
most agreeable presence, and the faculty of ex-
pressing her thoughts in well chosen language.
in gentle and persuasive voice. She saws that
she thinks that she Is probably outside her
sphere in conducting her journal, as it is a
work most unsuited to woman but she saws
it was the means of livelihood left her by her
husband, and it has become her pride and salts
faction to carry 1t on. She has five sons and
one daughter Her elder son Is an editorial
writer on the Independent, another is studying
law n third will probably study medicine and
the Others are too young to decide. This morning
a number OF Texas ply sclans paid their respects
to her and endeayored to convince her that
there was a greater field for her journal in
their state than anywhere else. Mother-like
her answer was: will there be as good oppor-
tunities for my boys careers there Ms in New
York; Mrs. Gaillard is a most interesting
lady and has charmed every one with whom
she has come in contact. She accompanied
DIR. and Mrs. Ferdinand King of New York city
here. The former is the editor of the bate,nd-
ttondt journal Of Surgery.
MRS. FERDINAND KING.
Mrs. Ferdinand King is bright, energetic
little lady. just the wife for busy doctor and
editor. She says that she finds Washington the
prettiest city in the world and she is fond of
conventions particularly when they are held
here. She was here last year and enjoys meet
ing again the professional acquaintance of her
husband and the pleasant friends she has
found among the ladies accompanying them.
MRS. W. +. PECK.
Mrs. w. +. Peck, wife of DIR. Peck of Dayen-
port, Iowa. is another of the interesting women
who find both pleasure and profit in going with
their husbands to the annual medical conven-
tions. That does not mean that she will attend
the sessions every day, but she does like to
keep up with all the current news of the meet
ings, which may develop from day to day
and it may be said of her as is
SO often said of her husbands old por-
traits. it is nice to have her around. She saws
that being the wife of busy doctor for twenty
five years ought TO have educated her up to a
taste for medical reading. but she says it did
not until the last two years. when her husband
not being we'll, it became necessary for her to
read to him. The journals he wanted to
have read were usually those medical and
surgical topics, and SO Mrs. Peck says her
two years reading has built up some interest
ing theories for her own edification. She
thinks that while a doctor must have thor
ough knowledge of anatomy and pathology, his
observation and experience combined with the
greatest possible amount OF common sense and
the faculty of getting along smoothly with
a patient. are the elements which bring
about success. She thinks doctors wife
who has the ability to follow his work
and to understand properly his successes or
failures, will be strong factor unconsciously
In his career. Mrs. Peck Is enthusiastically de
voted to Washington and will give her week TO
seeing all she can OF its beauties. She is en-
tirely conversant with nearly all branches of
the medical profession and alive to the good
which comes to medical men by the exchange
OF thought at the conventions.
THE DOCTORS WIVES
A fair proportion of the physicians have
brought either their wives or daughters with
them, and good many more are considered to
be in better luck because they brought both.
Some OF the ladies began this morning to show
"a fattering interest in the sessions of the Assoc
citation. But the most of them found the at
fractions of their hotels plenty for the early
morning hours. and later on the sight seeing
and it mus. be said the shopping,
kept the streets gay with handsome
additions to the usual promenaders.
The ladies are particularly interested in the
social part OF their stay here, and while most
of them know to the minute the time and place
OF every business session. they are also per-
fectly informed as to the various entertain
ments which will be given in honor of the
visitors during the week.