The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-08-20
Chinese Idens Of Edueation.

few years ago a girls school was
opened in Shanghai. A Chinese critic,
discussing the curriculum. remarks
that Of all the studies on its list there
are but two which are fl for women
medicine and mathematics Curiously
enough. these two subjects are. in
this Western World, considered pecu-
liarly unfit for women. Yet they are
the two which. above all, are likely
to be absolutely necessary in some way
or other TO the average woman.
1t is not necessary. Of course, for a
woman to study trigonometry or the
diferential calculus in order to do her
work in the world. but it viii often be
extremely useful for her to understand
accounts and the casting UP of inter-
est or estimate the amount Of materi-
al required to cover a floor. OF the
amount Of lumber required TO build a
piece Of furniture Yet the average
woman is unfamiliar with even the
rUdimeuts Of keeping accounts. II is
a favorite saying among some men that
women have no heads for business"
Yet there is nothing in the feminine
the assimilation Of mathematical
F. knowledge The number Of women en-
ployed as cashiers and bookkeepers,
and tine part which the wives OF French
shopkeepers play in their husbands
business. go to prove this. The trouble
simply is that with most women cal
culation and the keeping Of accounts
have not been habituaL II girls were
required TO be as accurate and careful
/! in planning their expenses as they are
in learning music. there would not be
such hazy condition of things in the
feminine American brain when bust
| ness is referred TO-
Medicine. again. is one OF the things
which women generally have to pick up
by a sort Of instinct The number Of
women fitted for physicians and train
Z ed nurses is small The number OF hui
man beings suited TO such work Is
small. for the matter Of that But any
/ one with the least skill in tha- direc-
ton ought to be able TO get enough
! training to make the aptitude as useful
B as il can be AT present the only way
/ in which the average girl can get a
/ knowledge Of even the rudEments OF
home-nUrsing is 10 take a regular
course in a hospital as "A nurse; and
this she may have neither the time
/ nor the strength TO do: or 70 pick il up
in a hlphaZard fashion among friends
and relatives. In the latter case. she
must do the work Of a professional
with only the skill Of an amateur. She
must wait for information about treat
! ing diphtheria or typhoid fever until
Z there is a case Of either in the family
/ when she may assist the head nurse
/ or possibly have the responsibility OF
/ the case on her own shoulders In the
/ numerOus slight ailments 20 which chill
: dren are subject many young n1Otners
! have TO struggle through their nursing
/ apprenticeship with only the advice OF
+ the doctor ami the help Of a neighboI
; To depend upon, and sometimes. in q
I sudden emergency. neither is available
/ There are people who, if taken with a
/ sudden attack OF toothache, chills. OF
/ Indigestion, at a distance from doc
/ tor. would not have The least notion
I what To do for themselves. Home prac-
/ tice Of medicine is not always safe but
/ il is considerably better than no medi-
! cal treatment at all