New-York tribune., 1900-04-28
PHYSICIAN OF SYRIA.
DIR. EDDYs WORK FOR BEDOUIN WOMEN
A TRAVELLING HOSPITAL.

Dr. Mary Pierson Eddy has contributed from her
private collection several attractive features 20 the
Syrian quarter OF the missionary exhibit being
held in connection with the Ecunenical Confer
Dr.. Eddy went to Syria seven years ago with
the intention Of practising medicine among the
women there. She mad prepared for the difficulties
she knew must be encountered by having her six
diplomas all verified by the a11x Of the seals OF the
various States in which they were granted and
finally by the seal OF the United States Govern
rnent.
Even thus strongly fortified Dr.. Eddy found some
difficulty in gaining permission from the Sultan to
take the necessary examinations IN Conetantinople
She succeeded finally. but the examination was
MADE extraordinarily difficult by the Imperial Fac
rilry OF Medicine The sixty-four questions were
answered trtumphantly. however. and after that
Dr. EDDY was free TO pursue her work, receiving
a diploma that authorized her 10 practise medicine
and surgery in all parts OF the Turkish Empire
No other has received this permission.
The first year OF her journeyings Dr. Eddy had
occasional exciting experiences but early acted
or the friendly advice Of q Bedouin sheik. who
said. II you about dressed as an American
woman you viii need twenty soldiers TO protect
YOU You viii be safer Il you dress a Eedouin
Dr.. Eddy accordingly adopted the Bedoun dress
and started Of with her small escort Of one maid
and two men She lost no opportunity OF using
her skill and when she returned the places
visited found enthusiastic welcome everywhere
Her fame spread so rapidly that she soon felt II
safe 10 assume her own garb, and has not found
& necessary TO discard 1t since then
In these Journeys into the interior Dr. Eddy re-
mains from TWO 10 lve weeks il a place. At one
time she was away from civilization lot 1olT
months. She takes & stereopucOu with her, and
draws the people Of the eucampments about her
while she tells them what is happening in the
outside world. with which they have almost no
Palestine she travelled Tor some time with his
party anc found that TIE story OF the trip Iur-
nished most welcome entertainment 10 her native
Dr. EDDY says that her only dangers now are in
the numbers OF scorpions snakes and cenupedes
that infesT The region ana IN the frequent want OF
water For carrying water the bags of skin
l.sh have discovered a rleJhoc OF Eeatlng canvas
that makes Il capable OF holding water while at
lhe same inne PeiiilllIIih iil ep &
ration 10 Keep i cool Ihis method IS an army
secret, and the bags well as the tents that Dr.
EcCy uses made II the shops OF the EnS!lsh
army Of occupation
Most Of her patients are men, although her pri-
mary object WAS and Is 70 help the women
me women are mere Deasls OF DuTuei, sf1Iu
DR.. EDDY d Tribune representative yesterday,
and the wtll not allow them 10 take the time
necessary 70 come 10 me uhIesh ley are SO III a.
10 De unable TO do their Work. When the men
md thai their personal comfort depends upon II
Lhey allow the women me time 10 see me. nave
been enabled TO help them by going directly TO
their encaraPuents much more than could nave
otherwise The men, however are eager 10 aVal
themselves of my help"
y 4 The greatest Importance as opnthalnia Is so
prevalent Many blind children have been taken by
her 70 the English school Beyroot. where they re-
crlFe instruction thdt makes tileL IStIuL anu con-
seQuently welcome in their tribes She has estab-
ished opthalmlc hospital in Sidon, the only
ore n syria and mas a complete traVeiiing equlp
fOr the hospital that accompanies her on
her medical tours On these Journeys she takes
with her a maid, hospital assistant and a cook
al natives of tried and proved hdelty.
5ecros. my assistant. has acquired a good deal
o. medical knowledge and skin since ne came 70
ne, and assists admirably IN operations, said Dr
The doctor arrived on the Kaiser Wilhelm II last
week. She viii remain IN this country for three
months IN the home of her brother. In New-Ro-
eehe-e, \ !, and Will then return 10 her work IN
Syria