New-York tribune., 1898-11-09
WOMEN IN MEDICINE.

Medicine was the first profession to which women
were admitted in Russia. They did most important
service among the troops in the Russo-Turkish
War OF 1877. and made a record for themselves for
uniiinching courage and tireless energy A law has
recently been passed In that country whereby
women who have obtained Diplomas granted by
certain medical schools made eligible to Cow
ernment appointments and the privileges accruing
therefrOm.
Russian women are delighted with this new law.
particularly as the woman doctor who obtains
Government position becomes eligible fci pension.
The question OF the appointment OF women
district physicians has been much discussed OF late
IN Cincinnati. In response TO the question. Why
should women be appointed district physiciansr
THE Cincinnati Inquirer gives the views of soms
women noted IN the medical profession IN that city.
as follows:
Or. Louise stated that she sure that II
women should be appointed district physicians.
they would fill the positions well
She said it had been urged that women would
not be accepted as physicians nor be well treated
by the men among the poor. But she had found In
her clinical work that the male patients the
clinics evinced any lack OF faith in women
doctors any reluctance to receive medical ad-
vice from them and she had never once seen these
men show ANYTHING but courtesy 10 their women
Another argument which has been brought up
against women district physicians was that the
work too arduous for them. but that
matter which should be left to them TO decide
appointment to the office and would give their best
efforts the work: that there would be few
complaints brought against them by their district
clientele.
In regard 10 this interesting subject Dr. Estella
NJ Riley has the following say: There IS no rea
son why women. f they choose, should not serve
as district physicians. AS sympathy and humanity
compel her TO do a great amount OF work among
the sick poor who In some instances are prejudiced
asainst me pnysiSans IN their district why SHOULD
traton is 10 be tuated upon the efforts II Is
making 10 purify city politics. and we can only feel
upon this subject as upon others. thar any change
II may make 10 advance women will serve TO ele
change and this advance is bound TO come in time
as II has in other cities. notwithstanding opposing
interest.
Dr. Jessie B. Dillon says: Women physicians
should be considered eligible for appointment
district physicians. 1t is in keeping with the spirit
Of the age Certainly our laws recognize no sex in
the practice OF medicine. but demand qualifications
Of equal standard from both men and women. Much
OF the maternity work among the outdoor poor
for several years has been done by women physi-
tive Of the nineteenth century We have many
women practising medicine in Cincinnati who ara
As citizens they certainly have the right, and when
appointed will serve the public as faithfully and
conscentiously as their brothers do
DR.. Mary T. DonohIe. who has made a great
study OF the subject. has this to say regarding
women district physicians: "As guardians OF
the sick poor II Is impossible TO deny that we'll
trained medical women better fitted than men
TO take charge OF sick women and children. espe-
cially of young girls. woman can know
women az a man cannot. II is upon the tender
sympathy Of educated women that is based tho
strongest argument in favor Of placing under their
care women and children who are suffering from
disease. either physical or mental
TO the weak the suffering 10 the crushed, 70
the errng. sympathy is the first essential They
must have II. 1t is more TO them than all else.
The lack Of 1t has placed them where they are.
Without IL they cannot be lifted Of the slough
of misery and despair Now that sympathy that
woman can bring TO another Is Impossible from
man " ,
TO recent graduates. many Of whom are young men,
who OF their salary, when once dp-
pointed whether prompt and faithful service Gsor rs
rendered not. There are many cases among
the INDECENT sick women and young girls IN Wnich
the attendance of woman physician would ns
eminenty suitable and that OF man emlnenuy
OF them account OF their poverty ana heipigsSSs-
10 impose a man upon them py .i". lno
popular basis upon wnch largely rests me hs nlo's
inent for placing such guardianship In the hands
OF me iical women is on the hand belet In
their SUPERIOR kindness and conscientousness' on
the other the fact that the prevalence OF erouo
protected young Of bOtn sexes rendeTs tne attN-
dance of man physician often diiicuit. OF iS snSn
impossible. Earnest women OF weli.uner h'b ,bs
hidden things, and give time ana attention 10 oe
taiIs that men have not the ability, perhaps nov
the inclination. undertake serious v me eo,a-
rnnritv needs a womans educational view or SAM
methods Of domestic life educational reform the
wise projection OF henl1SS cnhugOou yor, an he mart
of women physicians, but even the inos1 "a ~
VIII admit that the sensible woiudn, u1i',o 90 ~
medicine is a power for good. Indispensable 10 'hs
I ffa aoff tod