Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1891-07-24
WOMEN AND MEDICINE.
MEDICAL PROFESSION THOUGHT TO
BE THE BEST FOR THEM.


An Interview with DR.. e. b. VOORHEES,, OF
New York, One of the Pioneer Students
in the Study Of Laws That Govern the
Body-Prejudice an Obstacle.
The marriage question recently discussed
by medical women in its bearing upon
members of their profession has brought
out expressions of thought upon the sub
ject from many who did not at first put
themselves on record. Among these is
Mrs. T. B. VOORHEES,, whose long medical
experience has covered the period of the
rise and progress Of the woman physician
from the time when she was O small and
comparatively unwelcome factor until now,
when she is an acknowledged md valued
power in the social and professional econ
omy of modern life.
Several years ago Mrs. VOORHEES, was the
cause of stimulating official inquiry into
the abuses practiced agai,, st the Aleut
women, and recent reforms in Alaska are
directly due to her efforts. But although
she is an earnest friend and partisan of
women, her aversion to any sort of public
appearance is 80 we'll known that her friends
held out small encouragement that she
would give an opinion.
Therefore it is with considerable misgiv-
ing that I sit down in the handsome draw
ing room and await the coming of the typ
lea medical woman.
Presently there enters a beautiful old
lady wearing a soft, white gown, with a
little blue shawl folded across her shout
ders-surely somebody's grandmother. A
woman whose presence is so sweet that
one forgets how fine and commanding it is
also.
This curious, winning personal charm is
notable because it must have beer a most
Important factor in the success this re-
markable woman has achieved in her pro-
fession.
THE WORK OF SOCIETY WOMEN.
The same questions which have already
been discussed, to wit: 'Should women
physicians marry?" and as it possible to
fulfill the duties of wife and mother and
at the same time attend to the demands of
q medical practice?" are propounded, and
the answer comes promptly:
"Well, judging by my own experience, l
should say Yesl
II have been able tok keep house for many
years and look closely after home interests
besides receiving a goodly number of pro-
fessional calls every day. see no reason
why a woman, married or single, if she is
willing to devote herself to her home and
her profession, may not make home happy
and herself independent, be of more value
to her own family, to other homes and to
the world at large than the society woman
who spends her afternoons calling, driving
and shopping, her evenings at dinners,
theaters, operas and late suppers, her morn
ings in bed or at the dressmaker's, leaving
servants to run her house and to run her
husband into debt. l hear more %groanings
and lamentations from society women over
the cares of housekeeping and a family
than from any other class"
'aThen you are in favor of a profession
for women?"
"That is another question, but I am.
And I also think medicine is her best field
of usefulness, although a good many in
cline to the law and the church. Of course
preaching is ever easier than practice, and
looking after the soul is much less trou BILE
than caring for the body. The three pro-
LESSONS are all good for women if they are
endowed with an aptitude for either, and
there is no reason why they should not sue
coed there as we'll as man.
woMAN's GREATEST OBSTACLE.
"The worst obstacle in their path will be
the prejudice of the masses and the opposi-
ton of fellow members of the profession,
but no matter how high opposition and
prejudice mount they will be surmounted
in the end. Every woman lawyer who OBJ
tains redress for one of her sex who is Cd
pressed and wronged vindicates her right
to be a rescuer; every woman preacher
who saves a sinner adds a star to the crown
of her rejoicing; every woman doctor who
cures q patient whom a man doctor has
failed to relieve scores a triumph for every
other woman in the profession"
'"Tha is a triumph that has probably Of
ten been repeated in your experience, Mrs.
Voorhiess"
eyes, and I have seen a great deal of suf-
fering in my day. So much that I wonder
any al doubt that 1t is better to be dead
than to be alive l have been sixty-four
winters in this cold world, and for thirty
years [ have practiced medicine in New
York city, but my cured patients are all
the great world ever hears of me, for I
have never in my life put up a sign of my
calling. All the advertising I crave is
given in the gratitude, confidence and love
of my patients"
'These years must have shown you
great changes in the status of women ply
~sicianss"
Wonderful changes, indeed" was the
reply. when a small band of women
students were first admitted to the clinics
at Bellevue hospital their appearance was
invariably hailed by Kisses and groans
from the gentlemen. This was early IN
the sixties. Professor Ward was dean of
the college and did his best for us, but
many of the professors in Bellevue were
with the opposition. and we had hard
road to travel.
WHEN q CHANGE CAME.
FINALLY the columns of The Times and
Tribune were opened for the ventilation
and discussion of these abuses, which were
thus abated. But lady doctors were looked
upon with distrust. A stirring comment
and a scornful shrug Of the shoulder were
the popular accompaniment to any aliu-
sion to them. And men did all they could
to hinder the progress of a movement
which has won the gratitude Of millions of
afflicted women. Well, the students who.
Kissed in those days are practicing now,
and many of them have sent their own pa
tients, their friends and their families to
me for treatment. ~ ~
Thirty years ago there were, I believe,