Pioneer Work in Opening the Medical Profession to WomenBlackwell, Elizabeth
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Pioneer Work in Opening the Medical Profession to Women
Blackwell, Elizabeth
Blackwell, Elizabeth, 1821-1910; Women physicians -- United States -- Biography
I have just heard one piece of news which decidedly indicates
progress and which is peculiarly cheering to me, because I
am persuaded that I have been chiefly instrumental in it.
The New York Hospital has opened its doors to women this
winter; there is now a class of eight women, all pupils from
Dr. Trall’s hydropathic institute, who attend regularly
the clinical visits and lectures in the amphitheatre
with all the other students. The matter was discussed in
full board, Trimble and Collins both advocating, and it
was resolved to make the experiment, Drs. Smith, Buck,
and Watson, the then attending physicians, being present
and consenting, quite concurring in the principle, and
only pleading the embarrassment they should themselves
occasionally feel. Mr. Trimble assured them they would soon
conquer their bashfulness! Thus far, it seems, there has
been no difficulty. I consider the matter so important that
I intend at once to take the hospital ticket and watch the
experiment in person as closely as I can. I only wish the
girls came from other than quack auspices.
Do the ‘knockings’ prevail at all in England? it is
astonishing how they increase here. Judge Edmunds has
published two large volumes, which are astonishing, I think,
as a record of self-deception or credulity. The promoters
hold public discussions in the tabernacle, publish endless
literature, and have hired a large house in Broadway at
2,200 dollars, and Katy Fox at a salary of 1,200 dollars
per annum to give free demonstrations to whoever wishes to
investigate the truth of ‘this wonderful new revelation.’
I attended one of these free sittings lately at Mrs. B.’s
invitation. It was a curious physical phenomenon to my mind
of the animal magnetism order. My few questions were all
answered wrong; but Mrs. B. and many others asked similar
questions, the answers of which she knew, and they were
answered promptly and correctly. Everyone who queried with
eager temperament got prompt and correct replies, independent
of Katy Fox’s volition. It was odd, but quite disgusting
in the view taken of it, as an ultra-mundane exhibition.
_Establishment of a hospital._—In 1856 my working powers were more than
doubled by the arrival of my sister, Dr. Emily Blackwell, who became
henceforth my partner and able co-worker. Dr. Maria E. Zackrzewska
also joined us as soon as she had graduated at Cleveland, and became
for some years before her removal to Boston our active and valued
assistant in the New York work.
The refreshing Sunday walks taken with this warm-hearted doctor when,
crossing the bay by an early ferry-boat, we walked for hours in the
beautiful environs of Hoboken or Staten Island, will always remain
as a pleasant background to the affectionate friendship which still
continues.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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