Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-09-08
In Mrs. RunyOn's Defence.
RICHMOND, va, Sept. G, 1870

To the Editor OF the Dlspa'S"'
The article In your paper yesteiuay
headed Doctors Are Angry causeu my
soul TO I'll with righteous indlahauoli'
l have no doubt much will be SAID on tne
subject. both for and against female doc
,ore Inn, fear much more against than
for Them. for the women here have peen
educated 10 think that all medical skill
was given 10 men, and they are AFRAID
20 trust n female physician, even though
they long 10.
IL the gentlemen Of the profession are
so afraid OF anything not "Virsinian,
why will they patronise the electric cars
the telegraph. and the telephone. Let the
doctors who are not fond OF novelty
60 10 the backoods TO practice Where
such northern institutions have not done
away with old modes OF intercourse.
Consistency, thou art jewel.
Besides what Is there new in the idea?
Nearly 1000 years b. c., In Pharoah's
time. the midwives were women. But
now. when fashion and folly have de-
formed women's natural figure till they
suffer diseases unknown at that day, they
are compelled TO 20 10 men for all medical
advice or else trust themselves in the
hands of unsklled old colored "auntiss'
whose ideas Of even ventilation and clean
illness are anything but conducive to
health
Every physician Of any standing at all
knows what a great influence the MIND
exercises over the body, even producing
death sometimes ithis was proven once in
France in the CAGE of some criminals. az
well as at other tirnes). These physicians
also know that women often suffer ago
MES Of both body and mind ere they will
20 TO them for the necessary medicines
and advice which they alone can give.
l have known. and suppose the doctors
have heard, of cases where women have
absolutely refused to consult with them
because OF their modesty. This may be
called false modesty," but as 1t is so
universal i think II must be God-given.
And II the mind can be saved necessary
torture and the body healed at the same
time by skilled doctors OF their own sex,
why cannot we have them and let them
have the same public recognition and
rights which their brethren in the pro-
fession have?
A friend Of mine sent North and had a
lady come here to attend her Would the
doctors prefer to have the money carried
out OF the State or kept here TO aid the
old Commonwealth?
have not had the pleasure Of meeting
DR.. Runyon yet though j hope TO some
time. so 1t is not alone for her that
would plead. but for all to whom God
has given the ability TO alleviate the
pains to which our flesh Is heir. The
Bible tells us that II IS a sin not to cult
vate the talents which God has given us
Let those Of our day take care lest they
be found fighting against God when they
oppose movements made In the name OF
humanity.
Though I do not know DR.. w w
Parker, had learned TO respect him
highly "for his works sake" for | have
heard much about the good he has done
to the poor. SO II is with sorrow that
find him arrayed against one lone wo-
| man. How "Virginian" like would a lit
tie gallantry seem shown in helping such
a one fight those who win rise up TO pro-
test against everything that is new with
or without reason. a pioneer In any work
has so many obstacles 10 encounter, why
not lend a hand instead OF blocking
the wheels of progress?
The position the Dispatch has taken on
this question is one which the years to
come will show was the noble and right
one. and deserves the gratitude Of every
woman In the State. Likewise all honor
is due to the doctors, old and young, who
elected Or. Runyon to membership in the
Medical Society OF Virginia.
1t 10 hardly probable that all OF Viz
ginias fair daughters will care TO ~
themselves TO be physicians. Enough will
be left OF those who cannot locate either
their livers OF their lungs to be wives OF
the superior" old-time sort for all who
desire them.
II any of the colder physicians" have
enough modesty left to put themselves
In woman's place" Gn imagination). will
they not 90 II, and then please. ! beg of
you. remember the Golden Rule: What
soever We would that men should do to
you. do we even so to them"