New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-08
WEDNESDAY,
JULY s, 1895.
THE WORK OF WOMEN.
MRS J. II. BURTIs TALKS ON THE BROOE
LYN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

REFUSAL OF PHYSICIANS TO ADMIT THE GENTr3
SEX AS STUDENTS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
INsTITUTE-wHAr 1T HAS DONE AND
WHAT THE HOSPITAL NEEDS.
The Congress Of the New-York state Federation
Of Women's Clubs and Societies opened In Con-
gress Hall. Saratoga. yesterday morning. ana
presided by Mrs. Jennie G. Croly. presi-
dent Of the State Federation. The president OF the
Saratoga Women's Association delivered the adj
dress Of welcome, to which Mrs. Croly responded.
The following papers were read and discussed:
History 'of Saratoga" by Mrs. Mary s. Lock-
wood. OF Washington, d. c.. president OF the
Women's National Association; History OF the
Ladies' Health Protective Association" by the
president. Mrs N. f.. Trautman. OF New-York:
Work of the Professional Women's League or
New-York City" by Mrs Laura A. Palmer. presi-
dent Of the league art and Science In Summer
Clouds" by Mrs. Ellen Hardin Walworth, OF
Saratoga Springs
The following address was made By Mrs. J. II.
Burtis. OF Brooklyn
Probably. women have never undertaken to make
their way IN profession or calling In lfe where
prejudice to 50 large a degree was encountered
as in the profession Of medicine. Less tran ioety
barred against the entrance OF women as students
that. even though backed by the strongest innu:
in this country. and greater difficulties were
met in the European schools
With Obstacles IN every direction 10 overcome: z
school OF medicine for women was modestly started
IN the West Now there exist med,ca, colleges Tor
few instances. colleges where women are received
ard study With the other sex. and are still able
The difficulties encountered az students we're for
gain entrance to hospitals or even TO dspensarieA
where practical experience IN medicine and surgery
many many Cities we find small hes5itsis and dsssars
where women are in charge. and In few dis
Admitted admit ed for Clinical work IN special diseases
HOW THE HOSPITAL BEGAN.
Sixteen years ago found few earnest womsn
colleges and had chosen Brooklyn for their nome,
fully determined to secure the dement's Of clinical
which Brooklyn ebounded Not door opened at
their pleading Nothing duunted. they found
tr!ct and opened 4 spensary. They adopted me
practical determination not TO paupertze the poor
quelce rule made requiring the fee Of 10
cents for medicine from th9se VINO sr could pay;
bills must be paid, the fees counted, ard the
deficiencies were met by these devoted doctors
An organization was effected ard an act Of incor-
were rented for dispensary work The need for hos
pital accommodations was pressing. and IN 1885 a
times the need for more and better accommodations
for patients has made moving necessary.
a permanent situation felt to DO n pressing
need. and building suited for hospital work was
the longing OF both staff and trustees BY o:
pot Of ground became the property of the hospital
This gift supplemented by a conditional gift o.
one-half block OF ground situated in Casson and
st. Marks aves provided fund OF $4,000 was
raised. The impetus Of this gift impelled the Board
Of Managers to not only raise the need amount but
also 10 purchase the remainder of the block The
erection OF the Memorial Hospital for Women and
Children was begun in 1894, the cornerstone being
laid June p, 1884.
A PORTION OF THE BUILDING ERECTED
A portion Of the building. comprising the centre
ana north " wing was completed and dedicated on
the difficulty in securing gifts made this pan I'M
peratve So we walt and watch and hope for
to meet current expenses and then FOR tina, m 81
desirable addition. an endowment fund.
absolutely perfect In meeting the requirements for
hospital work. With accommodations for private
furnished and named BY the friends wh e Seneuusy
offered to furnish them. private wards containing
women can secure bed at a moderate price with
medical. surgical ma ternity eye and and chill
are abe to care for about seventy patients Then
we accommodate in our training school seventeen
matron and household help.
our operating theatre is thoroughly equipped AMI
electricity and gas Our lavatories are in small
wing. Our kitchen and laundry are on the upper
one for the diningroom use. the centre OF the
., thus securing all the so-caled admInstra;
GROWTH OF THE TRAINING school.
The great need for a well-organlzed training
school for nurses was pressing upon US almost from
the hrst but not until 1891 the organization
effected and charter secured. The school from tts
original number Of four pupils. numbers seyen-
teen pupils. all earnest workers laborng to become
well trained and proficient In their chosen profess
sion, Besides wel-arranged lecture course by our
medical STAN, they receive course In invalid cook
ing from Pratt Institute, and also training In ma
sage from competent masseur. The course con.
uhues through two years. after the probationary
month has passed
In the second or senior year We allow them
to go out for private work believing that the ex-
perence in out calls" as they are familtariy
known. Is most valuable to them Calls to work
need OF the hospital will permit ana the experience
thus gained We feel e most helpful. enabling them
to make much from little and to invent means OF
caring for the sick with absolutely no Comforts at
hand except those which soap and water VIII afford
Nurses feel that the profession of the trained nurse
to be required IN BOARDING sco for sher ssx ami
Their efficiency in such schools where they are now
employed is acknowledged enthusiastically. None
should be without one or more well-trained nurses
Asylums where the insane are cared for need not
asylum where female patients are received should
also have women on Its medical stan. This is a
at no distant day
WHERE WOMEN ARE NEEDED
AS police matrons and IN our tails and prisons the
trained will find herself needed That the Ne.
mortal Training School may find itself prepared &c
furnish from among It's graduates some who are
able 10 fill such positions is the aim OF It's manage
ment.
| would add that It has been the aim and earnest
desire OF the trustees only OF the Memorial Hos.
ptal for Women and Children but OF the Memorial
Training School, to secure the support OF both in.
stitutions mainly from women. II surely should in
spire every woman who seeks the intellectual al >
vancement ana progress OF woman in professional
work with deep desire 10 place Institutions de-
voted 10 this noble profession on SO strong financial
basis that no anxiety for money should ever cripple
retard their success.
We have noble monument 10 voman's devo-
ton about TO be erected in connection with the Long
Island College Hospital In Brooklyn. which viii
the Polhemus Dispensary, and its nurses dorrnl.
tory. The Memorial Hospital for Women and Chill.
recently established fund known the Sustain
ing Membership Fund to which for an annual CON-
tribution Of s.. any may enroll her name Wa
need hundreds OF women contributors to this fund