The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-19
WOMEN AS PHYSICIANS.
WIN THhY BE FUXTHER 1D.
aITTED Az MHMBERs
of tho Medical Society Of Virginia 8. a
0oesti"r. TO be FINALLY Passed Upon
1.-THE session August 31si.

@NRh'Af'tA inc AHtf % TIC AitNlNaa C0f4tlN
OF Virginia. which enters upon its annual
meeting August 3ist al Hot Springs. Va.
Hho question" say the circulars. was
10 the further admission Of women as
Fellows of the Society Is then 10 be dis
roaed OF finally"
Tho further admission" refers 20 tfo
election TO membership two years ago,
Ct Dr. Emily Chonault Runyon now a
pfactcing physician Of This city. and DR..
Choitsey Hopkins. WHO was elected one
year ago and is assistant physician az
the Western Hospital, stanton, ana
laughter Of o member OF the society.
These ladies' are now members. The ques-
ton to be settled has nothing 20 do with
Individual ladies but ladies Do general.
The vote at WythcNille ana Eockbudge
Alum would seem 10 indicate an over
whelminr majority in favor ~ admission
being at the latter % ayes 10 noes.
Among those favoring 10 are Dr. Hunter
Mcclure whose extensive travels have
made aim acquainted with the fine pro-
fessional work being done hy women in
other cities. Or. Landou n. Edwards
Dr. Stewart Mcclure. and Dr. George
Ben. Johnston Dr. "a. -. Hogc. Jr. when
called upon by a representative OF The
Times stated that he had not given the
subject sufficient consideration 70 express
au opinion. DR. Edwards. the genial.
able. ana popular. had given 81 consider
alton. az DEE has most of the up-to-date
questions concerning his profession, and
was prepared to add himself 20 the ma
jorlty
lie stated I'm reply 20 a question. that
fhc matter was 600 Doe finally disposed OF
at th.s meeting OF the society so that
future discussions regarding individual
ladies micht Doc made unnecessary. The
doctor has been gallant advocate Of the
admission of women from the first time
Che question ever came before the society,
and secs mo- good reason TO change his
views.
Dr Parker whose long experience and
wide practice In this community entiue
jas views 600 general respect was waited
upou.. aud proved to The Times roprescn-
tativc that his opinions I'm this connection
are vigorously time proof.
Change my mind? No, SIR. The
whole ufoc,c1lus at Wythcville was ir-
fecuiar. Tine tote wag taken before tho
members mad arrived, and by no means
represented tho sentiment Of the probes
sion l ihis state
"What is thc ground upon which you
oppose Che admission of women SO strenu-
oIsIy. Doctor
"Uidnt ever show you my book ON
'Womaus Place in the Christian Worldy
THAT tells au about &c.. / must find You
oue and BOO a. few minutes the interest
ing hiuo-coVcrod pamphlet was located
in the bookcase. Ills arguments are as
follows.
D. The Office OF a doctor is that OF
master whose control of the sick should
hc absolute. and the yielding qualities of
women do not ht her foT that role, as
she wants hrmncss.
Women are irresolute and timid I'm
the presence of danger and certainly not
800 t0 cope with maniacal women. She
"hoarcth ali things. but is not aggressive;
bans NOT tho sublime self-reliance and
courage 90 "burn the bridge behind hcr"
g. For the haroms OF the East they
might find their place. but too limited TO
acquire experience for general practice
AS most AN young women expect 10
marry and as no married woman
could De q general practitioner, the num-
hcr 90 study medicine would DE small,
and not of the best quality.
3. Woman certainly has not the faith
in tho wisdom and mental power OF WOO
men ass OF men, They know that man
has and always Will rule the world Her
habit is 10 trust and conhde n man
more than her own sex.
g. Woman is unit for general practice.
as she cannot visit patients alone az mid
night in lanes and alleys.
3. Doctors are on equal footing and II
IS violation of Gods law as womans
true position IS subordinate in authority.
In consultation she would likely be
"hgure-hcad' or "a stumbling block.
s. Woman. from the acutoncss OF her
sensibitios. would be apt 90 postpone
bold and painful measures, even when
demanded hy TIE case.
%. Woman is by nature dependent and
has not the sclf-reliauce for sudden
emergencies in practice There may be a
few exceptions.
lo. She Is too sympathetic 20 have a
steady hand and assuring manner
H. Woman has not the courage TO com
bat stern opposition from patients She
would also cease 20 struggle with a vio-
lent disease long before man would
give up the fight Her nature is 10
yield This trait is fully impressed upon
her bv her creator for wise and domestic
purposes g., peace I'm the household.
10 Women acts more from impulse
than from calm. deliberate Judgment
Diagnosis demands the highest logical
powers. and these few women possess
They would naturally take a surface
view OF the disease.
l3 Woman will "tattlc." and can hard
ly Dc expected TO keep well the secrets
81 the family Moreover. every family
would have Co employ two doctors-one
Tor The father and sons and another for
tho mother and daughtors-a situation as
complex and unnatural as Sc IS absurd
and ridiculous.
Elsewhere in his pamphlet the Doctor
ikcns man. 20 the bass viol-woman TO a
violin.
In tho Doctors opinion. his position IS |
the Scrlptural one. and hc can only be
honored for his determined and frank
defence Of what. 20 quote Rev DIR. Hoge.
hc believes is essential 10 the divinely
established order OF soccty-cspecially
in The face of the strong popular current.
Dr. Upshur 10 is understood also OPP
poses the admission of women to the so
clcty.
Mr. and Mrs William II. Stevenson. Of
baltimore. arc visiting Mr. and Mrs. S.
W. Trayers. west Franklin street.
Miss 1irscomh. daughter OF Rev. Mr.. |
Iipscomb. of Danvillc Is visiting her !
grandmother Mrs. O.. j. l.. Lipscomb, |
east Grace street
Mr. Arthur Llpscomb is enjoying life |
az LuraN virginia
Mrs. Henry Peasants IS visiting rela-
t!ves On Loudoun county Va.
Miss Mary Jackson. or Petersburg. is /
the guest OF her aunt Mrs George Watt |