Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-09-05
DOCTORS ARE, ANGRY.
Richmond Physicians Opposed to HaTln6
Female Members Of The State Society.
PETITION FoR Recommendations
The BODY HAD Never Before Acted
ON an Important Question At It1
First sessfon-How the Academy OF
Medicine Dealt with the Matter.

Medicine Dealt Win sNe
There is great dissatisfaction here
among some OF the older physicians over
the action Of the Medical Society OF VIZ
einia, now In session at Wytneviiie' III
bringing into that organization lady
doc.or-Mrs. Catherine Chinault Runyon'
of this city.
II was not generally know here that
the matter of taking female physicians
into the society would be brought up at
the opening session Of that body. conse-
ouently no fears were entertained by
those who were opposed to such pro-
position.
DIR. Runyon moved TO Richmond
from Kentucky about a year ago, ana
opened Offices at the corner or sixth ana
Grace streets. She Is the only white female
doctor I'm the city. DR.. Sarah Jones,
colored physician, has an office on second
street. but there are no other women
physicians here.
Opposition TO Mrs. Runyon's admission
into the Medical Society does not appear
to be based upon any lack OF ABILITY or
scientific qualification, but soiely upon
the ground that she is woman, ana that
II is not virginian to have lady members
OF the profession DR.. Runyon Is lady
Of high intelligence and rare ability In
her profession.
ASKED TO RECONSIDER.
A petition asking the Medical society
to reconsider its action was circulated
among the more prominent doctors here
ND nj
signed to the paper. 1t was forwarded
last night to the president, DR.. Preston.
The part Of the profession remaining
here will await with intense interest
and anxiety the result OF this petition.
In the mean time many OF the Richmond
doctors are criticising In no uncertain
tones the step taken by the society Tues
day night.
DIR. w. w. Parker. one Of the charter
members OF the society, said last night:
.The Medical Society acted with most
unseeming haste in this matter. There
were only about sixty out OF the 800 MEM
hers present and that handful cast the
vote of the entire body upon this vital
question Never before in the history
of the organization has II attended to
any matter Of business at the first ses-
sion OF one Of Its annual meetings.
~ am very much opposed to the ad-
mission of lady physicians into the So
ciety. and II ought never have been done.
I trust the body will rescind its action.
AS an evidence OF how the Richmond
doctors stand upon this question. the
Academy OF Medicine and Surgery would
not admit Mrs. Runyon. and, upon mo-
ton Of DR.. Hugh Taylor, a resolution
was adopted whereby no person not re-
ceIying a four-fifths' vote can be allowed
10 participate In the meetings.
II am afraid" said DR.. Parker. that
the action Of the society will cause dis
sension In its ranks. and possibly split
in the organization"
NO CREDIT ON ITSELF.
DR.. J. n. Upshur, when seen by Dis
patch man, said: 1.-THE question Is an en-
tirely new one with US. and the society In
its action reflected no credit upon Itself.
II Is the only time the organization has
ever dealt with any big question on It's
first days session. when there are only
few members in attendance. All mat
ters OF importance have always been de-
ferred until the second or third day OF the
meeting by which time many OF the doc
tors who could not attend the opening ses-
sions have usually arrived.
II am very much opposed to having
female doctors" continued DR.. Upshur'
Is.'The highest court in our land has re-
fused TO admit women to the bar, ana
this Is a good example for us TO follow IN
the medical profession. This question
ought by all means have been laid over
until all the members could have peeh
notified. great many of the older phy-
scians here were unable 10 be present at
the first session OF the society at Wythe-
Vile. and therefore had no voice In this
matter. / trust that the body will recon-
slider its action and that there Will be no
split The Medical Society is one Of the
most important scientific societies In the
United States and II has always hereto
fore been most harmonious In all It's de-
Iiberations This whole matter calls to
my mind a response once made to the
toast. The Female Doctor in which the
speaker simply said: Here's TO woman
once our superior. but now our equal.
When DR.. Virginius W. Harrison was
seen he was quite emphatic In the matter:
The action of the society was uncalled
for. II had no right to act as IL did, and
what IL has done is very inadvisable.
trust the body will reconsider its ac-
ton"
DIR. II. Wythe Davis said: II do not
belong To the society, but am member
OF the profession. / have not given this
subject much thought, and cannot ex-
press an opinion.
FAVORED THE ADMISSION.
DR.. r. f. Ellis. In talking about the
matter, said: was in favor OF admitting
Mrs Runyan into the society, and still
am. I think we should admit duly quail
ned women"
In speaking upon the matter DR.. j. s.
Wexford. one of the Oldest members or
the society, said: II am very decidedly
opposed TO such action as has been taken
by the State Medical Society. 1t VIII
bring about a great deal of trouble and
dissension, / fear, and will be Injurious
to that body. 1t is antagonistic of Vlr-
ginia ideas. Such thing may SUIT the
advanced ideas of the North, but they
do not suit Virginia. The question had
never before been considered by the
society. and 1t took snap judgment upon
II. suppose the doctors who voted for
II were fond Of novelty"