The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-12-22
WOMEN SURGEONS PLAY
PART IN RUSSIAN WAR
Former Minister of War Opened Doc
10 Thcm-ThOusands Now Practic-
iug-HaVc Proved w Orthy.

Sia. women surgeons are playing a
large part. While Great Britain has
refused proffered help OF English wo-
men doctors. j. ussia is gladly &C
cepting uch assistance, although 1t IS
provided that the number of women
surgeons must not exceed so per cent
Of men practitioners.
Few countries, in fact, look upon
the medical woman with friendly eye.
But in Russia it was due to a Russian
minister Of war that the weaker sex.
was first admitted into the medical
profession. While women were still
barred from the civil institutions OF
medicine. military schools and hos
pitfalls were opened TO them. Ihere
are now 5000 practitioners in the en-
pire.
Women doctors are especially need
ed in Russia because the religion OF
the Mussulman population in the
eastern provinces forb DIS them to en-
ploy the services of q man. The QueS-
ton was first raised in 1861 by a Rus
sian woman, who asked to be admit
ted to the medical courses at II of
the provincial universities. The MN
lister of education refused her request.
The goal was finally reached through
the minister of war, Gen. Milutin,
who had control of the Military Acad-
envy Of Medicine at Petrograd. A
timely gift of 5000 roubles enabl ed
him to suggest to the en- perOr that
the medical courses of the mi Htary
academy might be utilized for the
instruction of women without an eX-
ira charge upon the state treasury.
His plan was approved for a period
of four we ars; the experiment was
started with 90 students in 1878, and
in 1881 they had increased to 595. IT
the end of that time the courses were
transferred to the Military
I'D - = -.1A -o~ aII III
to the period of instruction, which
thus became equivalent, though not
identical, with the courses of the
men students. Russian women doc.
tors owed a debt of gratitude to the
military authorities, which they were
not slow to repay.
Can Endure Hardships.
The war with Turkey broke on
Just before the students had complet
ed their fifth year; about 3 0 of then
at once offered to go to the front, an(
their services were Immediately &C
Cepted as assistants. When we o
slider that a woman doctor is yet al
unknown quantity in Russia anC
that popular prejudice has still to b.
overcome, this broad-minded actor
cannot be too highly praised. The.
proved themselves worthy Of the con
fdence placed in them, and thei
ourag devotion and capacity 70
enduring hardship were generally &C
knowledged and broke down Opposi
ton. The winter following the wa
50 students attending the courses a
the Military Academy passed thei
final examinations and received tn
degree of woman doctor. They Wer
now launched on their career, bu
there were many rocks ahead.
In 1881 Gen. Milutin was succeede
rs war minister by Gen. Vannovsk
-1AaA Al.AaA@ --~-
outraged by the action of his ~predece:
Sor; he decided that medical course
for women could not take place undt
the friendly auspices of the war offic
as hitherto ard no fresh women ST.
dents were admitted to the milital
hospital. A scheme for an indepel
dent Women'S Institute of Medicil
was drawn up, which was aprpovt
by the imperial council, and whit
it was decided to establish at Petr
grad as soon as the necessary fun
could be obtained.
1t was again largely due to the ge
crosby OF a general in the maj
who came forward wit n substanti
help, that the building of the institu
was commenced. Lectures beg
two years later, and in 1900 500 W
men were attending the courses.
1t is not only as doctors that RI
sian women have been given a defin
poSllloI III VOL llil1. Ic All
Nursing Service is one of the best
ganized in Europe and they need fe
no comparison with hat of any otF
country.
Students Lead Community Life.
The training lasts three years a
includes practical work in
branches. The students live togetf
in groups of about two hundl
where they lead a community life a
are under the supervision of 10
committees who in their turn O
allegiance to eight boards of dist1
administration. The hospitals
which they learn their work
equipped and maintained by local II
inequalities. On declaration Of Y
the nurses Immediately receive
ders to be ready to join at a nome
notice. and about rs are attached
each field hospital. They receive
special treatment on account of tt
sex, the military authorities look
upon them as a definite branch Of