The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-02-26
MEDICAL SCHOOL FOR WOMEN.

II is not 20 be supposed that all the MEM
bers OF the Women's Council. now IN session
in Washington. indulge in the general line OF
discussion which we took occasion on yesteI-
day TO illustrate and 20 condemn. Several of
the papers which have been read IN the Coun-
Gil, papers relating to subjects of eminent prac-
teal interest TO women, because bearing di-
rcctly upon the means open to them for Sc
curing livelihood. have been remarkable for
their earnest spirit and sound good sense.
One of the most notable of these was from
Miss King. OF Baltimore daughter Of Mr..
Francis T. King, OF that city, and well known
in her native city as an active coadJutor OF
Miss Garrett in the work which that philan-
tbropic lady is doing for the higher education
OF her sex.
The subject of Miss Kings paper was the
medical school to be established in Baltimore
10 which women are TO be admitted, and she
made a strong appeal to the women present
or represented in the Council TO bear their
share in raising the endowment. Here was
practical matter Cor the contemplation of the
members, and il is only proper TO say that the
suggestion was received with the marked
favor which it deserved on account of its in
trinsic merit as well as for the earnest man
ncr in which il was expressed.
"A glance at the present opportunities
which the women of the United States enjoy
for the acquisition of medical education"
Miss King states in the paper 10 which we
have referred, will show that there are few
good womens medical colleges where consc-
entious work is done. and which have sue
cessively developed from small beginnings to
positions which command the respect and
support Of the community. They are ham
pered. however, by dependence upon
fees for support. and by moderate dis.
pensary and hospital advantages which
necessarily limit their sphere of usefulness
TO undergraduate training. Medical educa-
ton for women in this country ends here. for
practically all educational schools Except that
of the University of Michigsn) must be in
Guided under these conditions. Woman stu
dents have therefore a constant struggle
against the depressing effect OF want OF OPP
portnnitics for graduate study, which In spite
of individual examples. constantly tends
10 lower them into an inferior class
of practitioners. and deters many superior
women from entering a profession where
they must start NJ disadvantage. In
their mature studies they lack the necessary
contact with men whose methods Of thought
and action they will be required to meet in
professional life, they have no opportunities
for meteorological aud pathological inves;-
CATION. or for extensive clinical and dispensary
practice under the best hospital advantages
they need the stimulus of working under the
foremost scientists in original research, and
of encouragement to become medical writers,
and The result is that they have TO 60 abroad
II they wish TO fit themselves thoroughly for
their profession.
Accordingly when (the project Of opening
the medical school of the Johns Hopkins Uni
versity was being considered. few women in
Baltimore felt that here was an opportunity to
obtain these advantages for women in a
graduate school which would be founded
upon and combine the advantages of two
great institutions-the university and the hos
pital. The university has an endowment of
sS.5oO,oC0 and, from its opening, has steadily
developed its graduate department, un.
I'll there are this year two hundred and thirty
graduate students-more than the sum total
OF such students in all the other colleges and
universities in the United States An atmos-
phere for advanced work has thus been crea-
ted which is largely promoted by the special
attention given to the physical. biological
chemical, and pathological departments.