The Washington times., 1919-09-19


Nisa very interesting group Of women which has
come TO America attend the international Conference Of
Women Physicians.
Nearly every civilized country in the world is repre-
ssntsd And from their homes they bring ideas which repre-
sent the universal progress that is being made by all
the world Who have taken up the study and practice Of
medicine.
Il was not so many years ago that woman physician
vas unknown and if proposed to study medicine
and practice convention Of would pass resolutions
Oondemning any such aspiration.
Women have always had to fight the ssf-ConfeTed
superiority Of men.
The lower the state Of male intelligence the more con-
vnOsd he that be mentally well physically
ths nobler being.
It was only by force Of demonstration that woman
established the fact Of her good and wise Judgment
In the days when all men were migratory animals she
showed the fOOsess and wastefuness Of constantly
ing about and established the value Of the home.
And once she had established the home she began to
improve the conditions Of life both inside and out Of it.
Her first attention naturally given TO the children.
As the mother she realized that she was responsible for
the continuance Of the family and the pepstuaOn Of the
race and for her helpless offspring she sought greater
safety and comfort.
Her activities began at the very BIRTH for the first sort
Of helpful attention that which one woman gave to
another at the critical time when member Of the tribe
came into the world
In actual preparation and dispensing Of medicine
woman was first for as gaherer Of herbs she established
TIE first crude system Of remedies and directed their spP
estion and use
The battle Of women for recognition as physicians has
bean long and difficult one e was but few years ago
that every medical school il the world barred from
doctor degree
There are not half dozen hrst-Class schools in the
United States that admit them equal terms with the
male students although the famous American ins
tuition, through the influence Of woman, gives equal
advantages
France, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy have been
he most liberal in offering medical education women and
IS 70 the credit Of New York hospital that it was the
first to open its doors to graduate physicians on the
sane terms as men.
There is every reason why a woman should be more
successful than man in the practice of medicine
She IS more painstskng more conscientious more
careful, sympathetic
In those institutions where she is equally favored az
student she almost invariably atans higher average Of
standing than her male classmates
Her is distinct advantage in her treatment of both
children and women for she is naturally able to gain their
confidence and establish their trust promptly than one
Of the opposite sex.
During the war women doctors and women nurses
showed that they able to undergo privatons and
endure hardshps Of the most trying character Their work
% the hospitals and camps and at the stations close to
the front proved them able to perform every duty and
answer every demand that was made on them.
Gradually the woman in medicine is establishing her
night to recognition
Slowly, she has gained everything she is making her
way by sheer pluck and actual proof
The time viii come when she will be as thoroughly and
rightly recognized she is in the arts in astronomy in
chemistry in the schools, and in the home.
Certainly if she is competent to give Life she ought td
be qualified to sustain and prOlong it.