Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1893-03-16
NOTABLE CURES.
WORK OF MARY PARKS PUTMAN,M. D.
ANATlvE OF CHARLEsToWN, N. H.
Early Life and Work-Choice of a Profes
Study-Cu Re- in Our Midst.

Study-Cu r. s in Our Midst.
Special for the BELLOWS FALLS TIMES.
That s'times are changed" we often
hear as truism; that methods are vast
ly different, we know by contrast; and
that the business world, as relating to
the sexes, wear changed aspect, we can
see by reviewing even the immediate
past. Every avenue almost is opened to
woman that her brothers have so long
travelled and found success and compe-
tence in; and she is not mans inferior in
the arts or sciences, or in any pathway
she chooses to follow. The college cur
riculum has no terrors; masterfully sht
wins her laurels, and gracefully she
wears them, too, and loses none of he,
womanly ways in that she becomes
sculptor, journalist, architectural de-
signer, or ply sician. Long ago woman
was adjudged by her natural tendencies
to make perfect teacher, nurse, and
matron in houses of relief for the Or
phan, the infirm, and the homeless.
More recently she has stood beside hei
brother on the lecture platform, and even
in the sacred desk; followed in the foot
steps of city missionary, as ;deaconess OF
helper, pervading with her presence the
penitentiary the prison, and the wretched
slums, giving aid and encouragement tt
thousands of unfortunates, that not very
long ago, only those wearing the garb oil
the Sisters of Mercy, or some kindred
order, dared make an effort to reach.
To-Day women are as eager in histori-
cal or scientific research as the stronge,
sex, and the study of that wonderful
mechani- m. the human frame, has given
impetus to her DIT sire to alleviate suffer-
ing, and many have prepared the mselves
to battle with disease and fight the in
roads and advance of death, by .
thorough medical course in the best in
situations of the counr and are fitted
for even the try ing tests of surgicAl
operations of severe and complicatt d
nature. That she has "nerve" can d,
longer be denied. and also command
her nerve-forces.
Since the days when in my early youth
I began to watch with the sick, aud tn
dyiug, and even the dead, for thirt,
years ago it was considered absolutely
imperative to have corps of watcher
whenever death had occurred, have
had great reverence, l might almost
call it, for those who practised the heal
ing art. Their kindness and courag'
appealed to me fully as much as theiI
skill, and at the present day, even more
Throughout the most alarming seasons
of conIsgion, during an epidemic, how
the cool calculations and the quiet com.
posed demeanor of the physician quell'
the fear that is almost a panic, and keep
the courage of patients and nurses up to
high-water-mark, if possible. Looking
over the field occupied by women in this
profession, l strongly desired to know
the incentives that prompt to this work
and like every newspaper worker,
looked about for someone to be inter
viewed. Through the specially takeI
up by Chatlestown woman-physician
felt impe lied to seek the desired inter
view and was cordially received, and my
inquiries were replied to very graciousl,
throughout.
Mrs. Mary Parks Putnam, M. D., wal
born A,,ril 20. 1912, at North Charles
town. N. HI. H. r parents were Mr.. anC
Mrs. D. w. Parks, and the trade of hel
father was that of blacksmith. TIL,
little Mary Parks during her childhood
attended school in her native district
overlooking the lovely meadows border
ing our wonderfully beautiful Connect
cut, whose silvtry mist, of mornings, i
seen for miles winding between the hill
of Vermont and New Hampshire, OF
either side. From this she entered the
acad, my in the no less beautiful town o1
Clarrmont, and from there sought thu
famous Meriden Academy. An intense
student, one never wearying of pushing
on, we find her at the early age of Ii
teaching private school in her native
district, which was the mutation into
constant 6u es as a teacher, for sh'
taughts mms and winter, and in sprins
and fall atten d the academy, until 1!
years of age She taught several term
IN Springfield, VT, and while thus en-
gagged the superintendent of public
schools in Charlestown. N. H. visiIe'
her school and at the close of the visi
asked for f, W moments convt rsati' I
with her. which " as granted, and he ex
pre- ssed the wish to OBTAIN her service
as teacher in ChaIlestOwn, ia the nortf
primary department. l think sometime