Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1891-12-18

al eminently fair and impartial spirit and
tbt re is every reason to believe that they
viii give the very highest satisfaction.
[From the Richmond Dispatch, Dec. l4th.l
1t has been Lrg d as an objection to the
proposed law requiring the employment of
at least one female physician in each luna
tic asylum of this State that We should have
to send to other States for such physicians
If this were true it should not be con-
side-ed an nsurn9npntable obstacle, but
the StauntOn \ INDICATOR in a recent issue
demonstrates that we could probably fill
all such apo. ntlnents with Virginians.
We would most certainly be able to fill
them with Southern women.
Popular sentiment is a unit in favor of
this reform, and we learn also that great
numbers of members of the medical facul-
ty endorse the idea as an excellent one,
That it will be adopte q Virginia ulti-
mately We have no sort of doubt, but we
are anxious that no Unnecessary time should
be lost. Every day CT postponement is a
day of useless suffering imposed upon deli
cate and sensitive women who are inmates
Of our asylums. To say the least, it would
e a great comfort to them to be able to
communicate their troubles to a sympa-
thetic member Of their own sex who is
skilled in medicine and who could under
stand and appreciate their condition better
shan any man OF any unskilled woman.
Let us have prompt action Oh MI. Koi-
iier S bill
[*The INDICATOR showed that the ap-
pointments could possibly be made from
southern women, but not specially Viz
ginians. The only four Virginia women
that are graduated physicians, that we know
of, save ole, are missionaries in foreign
lands. But We, nor we believe our cotem-
porary Of the Richmond Dispatch, nor the
people Of Virginia, would give our consent
to delay reform of this peculiar character
simply because Virginia women We're not
yet ready to fill the places. They soon will
be ready; you may depend on that.-ED.
VINDICATOR.1
IT is IN THE INTEREST OF HUMANITY,
DECENCY AND MORALITY.
From the Petersburg IndeN-Appeal, Fec 18TH
The bill introduced in the legislature by
MI. KOiner of Augusta, providing for the
appointment OF female physicians for the
female wards Of our State insane asylums
meets with our cordial approval. 1t is to
be expected. OF course, that the proposition
embracing as it does a somewhat radical
innovation, will meet with opposition IN
some quarters, but little reflection will
show that such opposition is based rather
upon prejudice eugendered by custom than
upon any sound reason. In fact, however,
Virginia has already had some experience
OF the good results flowing from the EN-
ployment of female physicians in the ca
pacity indicated. AT the StauntOn asylum
a lady has for the past few years filed the
post of physician i'll the female wards, and
we have the testimony of Superintendent
Blackford that she has fulfilled her duties
most acceptably and to his entire satisfac-
ton.
Medical men, better than those outside
of the profession, will appreciate the advan-
tages to be derived from the employment
OF female physicians in hospitals for the
insane. There are Affections of the mind
in women which, acting upon their physi-
cal nature, produce conditions in which
the presence Of male physician is almost
revolving and under certain circumstances
positively dangerous. Apart, however,
from these extreme cases testimony is ex-
tant from institutions Of this sort in which
female physicians are employed, to the
effect that their presence has given the
female patients the utmost satisfaction and
that in every respect it has been attended
with a most gratifying result. IneXhaus-
tible and irrefutable arguments could be
adduced in favor Of Mr. Koiner PROPOSE
ton, but some Of them, if not majority,
are CT SO delicate a character as to preclude
mention OF them III this place. In the in
terest Of humanity, of decency, and of mo-
rality it is to be hoped that the legislature
Will give Mr.. koiner's bill prompt and IA
vorabIe consideration.
A POSITIVE DUTY WE OWE TO INSANE
WOMEN.
[From the Richmond Dispatch, Dec. 1UthI
Mr.. Koiner' S bill providing for one female
physician for each of our lunatic asylums
should pass.
1t Is nothing less than positive duty
which we owe to the delicatey-nurtured
women upon whom has fallen the terrible
curse OF lunacy that they should have the
attendance of one of their own sex skilled
in medicine, to whom they may speak more
freely than to aman.
We understand that the experiment has
been successfully tried at Staunton. Other
States have passed such lava as that now
proposed, and the verdict is unanimous
we believe, that female physicians are Ca.
pable of valuable service.
TOO PLAIN TO DEMAND ARGUMENT.
From the Richmond State, Dec. 1h.l
The bill introduced by Mr. Koiner in tn,
House yesterday was q move in the right
direction. 1t provides that each lunatit
asylum in the State shall have at least one
female physician for the female wards.
1t will he remembered that this expert
ment has been tried in the asylum at STAIN
ton with the very best possible results. The
lady physician there passed the examina
ton before the State Board of Medical Elk
aminers, and her standing was very high
At no time does woman need the aid and
sympathy of her sex more than when she is
in hospital, and especially when she is &
patient i'll lunatic asylum. This asser
ton is too plain to demand argument,
work when it passes NJ. Koiner' bill.