Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-01-24
Female Doctor. ana Insane Asylums.

To the Editor Of me D'spdfcn;
: find it will Lot be necessary 70 ASK YOU
to publish my two last letters against
female doctors in insane asyiums. lug
this honorable body has determined to
follow the lead of few misguided women
rather than the medical protession-tq
prefer sentiment to science. Inc oioer
Gel the more /. am impressed with the
wisdom OF Shakspeare's observation that
"men are but children OF q larger growth
The fIattened booms and Halter purses
of thousands of our citizens, to"n
and country, is another Illustration
that men follow and even place.
their money upon the baseiess iap,lc OF
would bow gracefully to their decision, but
I suppose there Is not half dozen medicai
man in the body. and instead OF respect
fuliv referring this important ana new
subject to the Medical Society OF the
State for discussion and recommendation
swallow il with the zest of the quack SUI
par coated pill. Would an assembly Oh
doctors propose to codify the laws OF the
State 7 We shall expect number Oh lnese
gentlemen on returning home 10 se e,
the soothing influences OF 'ne ii. W., Bic h;o
black hand of the old NANNY wouId De
safer. but sentiment. not sclence, -
their motto. The fountains OF Egera; VI
Pharpa and ALBANIA, are more neaiing 'nan
the waters of Jordan. .,o,s a.. n
The following twenty propositions Gun
be defended by facts and figures:
/. The medical care of the insane mas
not deprecated in respect either OIL ualel \.
or character in the past twenty yeais ous
manding this change. Never were nei 'o"'
diseases so enthusiastically studleu.. :.
# 1apfnT that Oh u
master. whose control of the sick shouia
be absolute. and the yielding QUANTITIES OIL
woman do not fit her to play tnat row. a'
che wants frmness and resolution.
2. TO compel the board TO select women
in nreference to rnen is to sacrihce expert
ence and capacity to sentiment Only.
a. The medical man and woman III tneIr
private consultations might hlrt 10 inc
damage of the service. as 1T coulu 10 uono
with peculiar safety TO her. ,, l..
s. Women are irresolute, ana tlliilu ~ -
the presence OF danger and cer'aihiy "o'
For the harems of the East they
MIGHT find their place. but. too ilmileu W
acquire experience tor general practice.
4 AS most all young women expect 70
marry and az no married woman coulu pe
n general practitioner. the number 10 STUDY
medicine would be small and not OF tne
best quality. .uo. fo;.b
4. Women certainly have not THAT faitn
in the wisdom and mental power OF women
as of men. They know that man mas anu q
always will rule the world. Ihelr napi IT, =, %
10 trust and cOnfde III man more than
their own sex. &,
Q. The head nurse can do all for the IN
cane woman that the female doctor can
by reason of her sex. -,
10. A nurse is in no sense a doctor,
though the two offices seem TO De con-
founded bv many of the legislators; one
is the absolute master and the DINER the
strictly obedlent servant; one does al the
head work, the other all the hand WORK:
IL. Woman is unfit for general practice
as she cannot visit patients alone III niiu-
night in lanes and alleys.
IL. L. not tit for public otiice,hoiding' as
il exposes ner to be scandalized. =.
10 Doctors are on equal footing. and II
ia violation of Gods law, as woman's
true position is subordinate IN authority.
In consultations she would likely bea hg-
ure-head" or q stumDliDg-block.
IA. Woman, from the acuteness OF her
sensibilities, would be apt 10 postpone bold
and painful measures. even when demahu-
ed by the case.
Is. Woman is by nature dependent and
has not the self-reliance for sudden emer-
EeUcltS III ihCAS Ah'j
exceptions, but these, like the Amazons,
or worse than Amazons, would cut on oou'
breasts TO be men or even manly.
16 They are too sympathetic 10 nave IA
steady hand and assuring manner.
II. Women have not the courage TO COM
bat stern opposition from patients. Her
nature is to yield to great odds: Thus
trait is fully impressed upon her by her
Creator for wise and domestic purposes
1. e.. peace in the household.
IS. Women act more from impulse than
from calm, deliberate judgment. Diagno-
sis demands the highest logical powers,
and these few women possess. Ihey would
naturally take q surface view OF disease.
10. Women will "tattle and can hardly
be expected to keep well the secrets of the
family. Moreover every family would
have to employ two doctors-one for the
father and sons and another tor the mother
and daughters-a situation as complex and
unnatural as it is absurd and ridiculous.
20. Woman puts herself out of place and
violates the law of God in her creation:
Her Maker commands her to be fruitful
and devote herself to the prirdte duties OF
he home. Her voice must not be heard II
the street" She should be" shame-faced
iher face yeiled), not bold and dogmatit
in hospital halls or booted and spurred OF
oorrt araans W. w. PARKER.