The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-07-02

IN the study OF Laws That Govern tnd
Body-Prejudice an Obstacle.
The marriage question recently discussed
by medical women in its bearing upor
members of their profession has brought
out expressions of thought upon the sub
Ject from many who did not at first pu;
themselves on record. Among these is
Mrs. E. 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 a small and
comparatively unwelcome factor until now,
when she is an acknowledged and 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 against 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
appearanceis so well known that her friends
held out small encouragement that she
would give an opinion.
Therefore it is with considerable misgiv-
ing that l sit down in the handsome draw
ing room and await the coming of the typ
ical 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 been most
e. l. Il
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
a medical practice?" are propounded, and
the answer comes promptly:
''Well, judging by my own experience,
should say Yesl
Il have been able to keep house for many
years and look closely after home interests
besides receiving goodly number of pro-
fessional calls every day. l 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
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. hear more groanings
and lamentations from society women over
tho corac Of boueal-aapir,r nd
than from any other class"
Then you are in favor OF profession
for women?"
That Is another question, but l am.
And l 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 well 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
in the end Every woman lawyer who OBJ
tains redress for one of her sex who is OPP
pressed and wronged vindicates her right
to be rescuer; every woman preacher
who saves a sinner adds star to the crown
of her rejoicing; every woman doctor who
cures a patient whom a man doctor has
failed to relieve scores a triumph for every
other woman in the profession"
hot ic f-irf ,r,t, h. oIog,
ten been repeated in your experience, Mrs.
Noorhies2"
Yes, and have seen a great deal of suf-
fering in my day. So much that | wonder
any can doubt that 1T is better 10 be dead
than TO be alive | have been sixty-four
winters in this cold world, and for thirty
years / have practlced medicine in New
York city, but my cured patients are all
the great world ever hears of me, for
have never in my life put up a sign of my
calling. All the advertising / crave is
given in the gratitude, confidence and love
Of nv patients"
These years must have shown you
great changes in the status of women ply
sicians2"
Wonderful changes, indeed" was the
reply. when 4 small band of women
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 a hard
road to travel
WHEN THE CHANGE CAME.
no. In ,.,. -.
Tribune were opened for the ventilation /
and discussion OF these abuses, which were 1
thus abated. But lady doctors were looked [
upon with distrust \ stirring comment /
and a scoruful shrug of the shoulder were
the popular accompaniment TO any a.lu- /
sion to them. And men did all they could /
10 hinder the progress of a movement /
which has won the gratitude Of millions Of I
afflicted women. Well, the students who 4
Missed IN those DAYS are practicing now, /
and many of them have sent their own pa /
tients, their friends and their families 10 /
me for treatment.
Thirty years ago there were. believe, !
three women physicians in New York; now
there are hundreds II You want to know |
how highly they are esteemed. why not in
euire Of the ladies' who gladly seek their
Men doctors Eow recognize
our usefulness TO women. Physicians in
various parts Of the country send their pa
tlents 10 me, and one very eminent doctor
in this city has sent me over 1900 cases
ladies of the families in which he prscticed,
who prefer 20 be treated by one Of their own
sex New York World.
When Nine. Perlergin finished the last