Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-12-06
Copyright, by Joseph b. Bowles)

CDR. Sophia A. Nordhoff-June was horn
IN Germany. Desiring to study medicine.
she came to the United States and took
thorough course in the science IN WASH
ingion, becoming IA post graduate student
in Johns Hopkins hospital in Baltimore
Later she studied in the Pasteur Institute
in Paris and was an assistant in tn"
Handeiocaue hospital. From there she
went to Munich and became resident as
sistant physician at the Royal niNersitF
HOSPITAL for Women. Returning to Wash
inKton at the end OF her studies. she soon
took high rank among the physicians OF
that city,
The question whether woman
should be a physician finds its affirma-
tive answer in the history OF man
kind. From time immemorial the care
of the sick has been in the hands OF
women. To-day the only civilized ma
ton which still opposes the study OF
medicine by women-Germany-
could learn a valuable lesson by look
ing back into its earlier history.
In the dense forests of ancient Ger
mania We see the priestess. the wise
woman, who not only performed her
sacerdotal duties but acquired val
liable knowledge of medicinal herbs.
with which she healed the sick and
the wounded. With many OF the an
cient tribes the art OF healing was en-
tirely in the hands of women. who
alone understood the preparation Of
salves and Inducements. and who
transmitted this precious art from
generation to generation.
Behind the rows Of the fighting
warriors of the Huns and Goths fol-
lowed the women to care for the
wounded. Priestess. physician. nurse
was the same woman. In Scandina-
Wan literature mention is made in the
Edda and Sagas of the great merits
and achievements of women physi-
cians. According to the Sturlang
Saga, Ingegard. daughter Of Ingvar.
established the first hospital for
women.
Not only in the land Of the mid
night sun, but likewise in the extreme
south of Europe, do We find the medi-
cal woman mentioned in olden times.
We hear of women physicians and
surgeons in the ninth and tenth cen
turtles in the then Arabian Spain.
Kremer. in his "Kulturgeschichte
des Orients," tells US OF women study
ing medicine at the University Of Cor
dova during the Arabian reign In
the twelfth century women distin-
suished themselves at the University
OF Salerno, not only as students out
As professors. DR.. Anna MANDOLIN
held the chair Of anatomy at that
most famous Of Italian universities
BOLOGNA. Anatomical wax models
made BY her own hands are even to-
day on exhibition in the museum OF
tha: university.
When in 1s47 Elizabeth blackwell.
OF New York, commenced to study
medicine she was generally looked
upon as a freak. The difIiculties she
encountered would fill volumes. Not
satisfied with the honor Of pioneer
in her native country this intrepid
vounS woman went to England and
succeeded. after patient struggle. In
opening the doors Of British schools
and hospitals to women in 1850.
Another American woman was the
first to enter the University Of Paris.
Dr. Mary Putnam Jacobi in 1868.
Again II was an American woman.
DR.. KIumpke Dejarine, who held the
6rst hospital position In Paris.
This country was the first TO have
q hospital for women and children.
founded and managed by women. The
New York infrmary is now half cen
tury old. For the last 20 years it has
main, aimed a medical college.
The Woman's Medical college. Of
PENNSYLVANIA has been in existence
over 80 years and its graduates are an
honor 10 the medical profession.
Among its founders and teachers are
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