The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-12-11
FEMALE PHYSICIANS IN AsYLUms.

Mr.. Diner. of Augusta, on Wednesday in
troduced a bill in the House which provided
for the appointment Of female physician in
the female wards of the insane asylums Of
this State. This bill is designed to amend
the law as it stands at present, the operation
of which has given rise TO feeling of dissat-
isfaction which mas increased very rapidly in
recent years
This dissatisfaction has been entirely Just
and reasonable. Custom merely has given
legitimacy to the employment Of male physi-
clans alone in the female wards of our insane
asylums. There are Offices to be performed
in these wards which can only with decency
fall upon female physicians. There are inhu-
ences to be allayed which only an intelligent
woman, not simply trained as nurse, but
thoroughly educated as physician, Is capa-
bic of allaying. The most ordinary regard for
the commOnest morally. as well as proper
consideration for the claims of humanity
when stricken and degraded by lunacy, re-
ouires that the female patients in our asylums
shall receive the professional attention of one
of their own sex.
The bill introduced by Mr.. Koiner proposes
an innovation upon the general rule which
has prevailed, and is, therefore, likely to meet
with some opposition for personal reasons.
The spirit which objected TO the admission
of women into the profession of medicine
however extended the preparation through
which they have passed before securing their
diplomas. will also seek to obstruct the con-
summation of the change in our asylums
which is now suggested. This is only what
is to be expected. but we do not believe that
it has the sympathy of the most enlightened
sections of the medical profession.
1t certainly has not the sympathy Of the
great mass of people, who are, after all. the
only impartial aud disinterested judges in
the premises So far as any conclusion can
| be drawn from the expression of public opin-
| ion in various forms-in petitions, in private
expressions of sentiment and IN the public
press-Mr Koiner's bill has the warm SUD
port of the people at large If the friends of
| the stricken women involved were consulted
they would be found to be very heartily in
| favor of the change. II void be unnatural
| for them TO entertain different view under
the circumstances.
In the only instance in which the female
! physician has been tried in the female wards
of our insane asylums the experiment has
been entirely satisfactory. The Western
Lunatic Asylum at Staunton which has been
managed in Oh unusually progressive spirit,
has for several years enjoyed the services of
female physician, who was appointed by the
board of directors after a searching examina-
ton, which she passed very successfully. We
are informed by the Stanton Evening News.
| one of the most conservative and
reliable of our exchanges, that her
presence has been especially appreciated
by the female patients Of improved mental
condition, who know from their own expert
ence the readiness and success with which
deranged woman can be reached. influenced
and benefited by sympathetic and intelli-
gent physician of her own sex"
Let female physicians, who have been care
fully educated and who are admirably fitted
for this work, be selected TO fill these posi-
tions. and then lot them be treated in an emf.
nently fair and impartial spirit and there is
every reason TO believe that they will give the
yerv highest satisfaction.