The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-04-24
A WOMAN'S TRIUMPH.
The Success Of a San Franciscan in
Berlin.
She Teaches the Learned Physicians Of Ger.
many Respect for American
Science.

Word comes from Berlin that DR.. Amy
q. Bowen. youbg woman of San Francisco,
has succeeded in gaining admis sion to some
Of the most select medical circles in that
city, among those which offer clinical
courses for post graduate study, and now
enjoys the distinction of being alone among
her sex in this respect. DIR. Bowen is a
graduate OF Hahnemann College Of this
city. Being possessed of an especial
taste and aptitude for surgery she
boldly resolved TO make IL her spe-
cialty. With view to perfecting her
self in this department, she first spent
several months In New York and then went
abroad, in order to take advantage of the
opportunities for higher study offered in the
medical centers of the Old World, and has
since been attending the postgraduate
courses in medicine at the universities OF
Zurich and Vienna.
After completing the course at Vienna
the doctor proceeded TO Berlin, although
warned that she could do nothing there, as
the medical circles Of that city were still
more exclusive and conservative than in
Vienna. She went at once to DIR. Martin.
the well-known specialist, and Others TO
whom she had been referred, meeting
however. with nothing but diScour-
agement. She was informed that
the doors leading to the coveted goal of
her ambition were more firmly closed than
ever against her sex, and that any attempt
10 gain admission would be utterly useless.
She learned also that two other women who
had preceded her and made the most stren-
nous efforts had been obliged to give
up in despair. One OF these, who
had been her colleague in Vienna,
had fled to Paris, and now wrote
imploring her to join her there, as she could
hope TO do nothing in Berlin. Undaunted,
however. even by these apparently insur-
mountable obstacles, she summoned her
most reSoiute forces and went boldly to
work to besiege the fortress of opposition
and prejudice.
Seeking out the most formidable OF her
adyersaries, certain famous gynecologist,
she introduced herself and stated her
errand. A lively interview followed, in
the course of which the medical po-
tentate informed the bold applicant in
brusQue and unceremonious tone and
manner that Germany did not recognize
women physicians; that he did not admit
any foreign students whatsoever into his
courses. far less those of the female sex;
that he had just dismissed two othor repre-
sentatives OF this class. etc. In answer to
all this DIR. Bowen merely reiterated calmly
her request for admission.
Amused, no doubt. at seeing SO young
anu feminine creature possessed OF so
much persistency and determination, In
such striking contrast to the meek and
timid attitude of his own countrywomen,
the man Of science at length remarked that
he liked her style, and gave half promise
to admit her the following month.
With keen realization of the advantage
Of present certainty over future possibility,
DR. Bowen, after thanking him. added:
Pardon me, doctor, but an Americans
time Is valuable. l should like to come this
month"
Finally thinking. no doubt, to teach a
lesson to this presumptuous American, who
was determined 20 force herself among his
staff OF highly learned medicos. he gave her
permission to attend the clinic the next
morning. adding. II will see what you can
do; but warn you that the instruction Will
be beyond your Depth"
1t Is needless TO say that promptly at the
appointed time the inyincible doctress pre-
sented herself ut the hospital. where. how
ever, she was confronted with new difficult
ties. Tor vast amount of red tape INSTRUCTED
her access to the clinic room. Arrived
there at last she found the professor and
students all assembled. The former again
eudeayored to dissuade her from making