The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-01-10
UOWEY D0CroHS.
Lady Puts Up Plea in Their Be
half

Editor Of Richmond Times
A bill. as you know has been introduced in
the House OF Delegates by Mr.. koiner, of
Augusta asking for the appointment OF le-
male phvsl, lans for female patient, In the in
sane aeyiums OF the State 10 has been the
hope II many earnest-thinkng we.l-iniormed
-.0mcn that this reasonable request might be
granted without controversy OF contention.
We believed that it would only be uniformed
people who could possibly object OF WISH 10
withhold the comfort %. "a sympathIing at-
tendent from the unfortunate ere lures who.
for any cause are OF dsOrdercd minds. 40
this was not 10 be and SD woo come fO ask
hearing through the press and pray that
those who hold tho power that mou.ds iuuic
opinion viii continue 10 help us ani give MS
Their powerful support until We get that which
Is our right.
Tie women Of Virginia have Jail u, claim
o. power OF o. privilege they nave not clam-
Orcd for any right nor tired % have share lu
the making of the laws that govern them.
They have not asked T. be allowed t. vote, $50
on iuries or hold Office. but they think they
have the right e. claim protection not ouiy
for the sheltered daughters OF the household.
but for the unfortunate ones, the afflicted
ones who are tried with the rest trial that
can heiai man or woman
We hoped that no Woman'5 voice OF pen
could De needed to defend this cause. SD
mauilesty right, but this was not % be- The
emoluments of Office are dear 10 the narrow
minded and selfish, and even small salary
may outweigh justice and humanity. We
learn that thore are some physicians who are
Opu0sin this bill. We hear the statement
that suitable women could not be obtained n
Virginia. and this is given as reason why
women should not be employed m tins capac-
ity. VIII the Legislature OF Virginia deal
with this naiteras amatterOi potr maze when
it's tie comfort peace. perhaps tue lives ami
sOuls uf afflicted insane women That rs DO the
balance. This argument is utterly unworthy,
and we cannot believe viii lie considered ly
The legislature off Virginia Women all VIII
admit are the best nurses. II woman may
nurse the sick the wounded the dying. Why
may she not prescribe the medicine. She
gives direct the treatment which Sue has e.
carry out. Women have more lOrtltude. greater
u wera OF endurance than men. Col has
made them so that though apparently
weak they are str ng. SO feeble person
shou have the care of the sick. Strength
of mind and body are needed 10r any work lf
this kind Is NOT reasonable % think that
good strong healthy women can be found
when needed % take care OF women who
suuer, is 10 not reasonable 20 suppose that a
woman educatei ION that line could minis
ter O. the mind diseased ~ we'll as 90 man
could do. The LADIES' Oi I-lnla adyocatiu-
THIS bll are not rejecting in any way uuon tLe
doctors OF Virginia or any other State. Ne ash
this help for our a'llcted sisters believing Q
90 be- right. Why should ans physician feel
aggreyed by this move. If % daughter OF q
home is sick the family physician lb called I'D.
he is the friend of the family, hon red and
trusted AID yet tho mother the sister. or
some il end Is always present 30 breath that
can harm is allowed % blow upon the
daughter of the house while her mlud ls
sound She becomes lersuged her mind
warped. her nerves uuslrulg she is insane.
She IS sent away CD he cured 4 possible. From
home and friends She is taken. put IA tie care
Of strangers and u ncuraDls locked up IKE
Wild beast lu charge col men. II l- pltltul 10
is sorrowiul. the wrongs that are done in the
name Of the law. The usual arguments used
% Justify discrimination against women I'D
other ayOcat.. Us cannot apply 10 the practice
oi medicine. This seems ure-eAiuelly tie
place where women ought o. Uc. To care for
her own sex. u watch over aul miort the
f.rlorn and distressed is surely woman 3
sphere low much more does Il seem that
good strong. capable women. concientious
women, should have charge OF al women WHO
.0r any cause are shut lu from the eyes OF
the word and are so conditioned and situated
that they cannot appeal o. the discriminating
public against possible injustice wrong OF
neglect The NOmaus Christian Temper
anco Union. by unanimous tie. ut the
annual convention decided o. asa OK the Leg
islaIure female assistant physician for the
care of female patients in insane asylums.
also FOR q matrOn for the state penltentlary
Tor the woman ward The duty 20 bring
this before the people through the newspa-
pers was the duty laid upon me. This Is my
apology for asking 50 much space to-day.
Yours Tor all that Is right.
Mns. VI. II. WHITEHEAD.
Superintendent Press Department State Of
Virginia. Momaus Christian Temperance
Union.