Pioneer Work in Opening the Medical Profession to WomenBlackwell, Elizabeth
History
Pioneer Work in Opening the Medical Profession to Women
Blackwell, Elizabeth
Blackwell, Elizabeth, 1821-1910; Women physicians -- United States -- Biography
But the whole affair assumed the most ludicrous aspect to the
class, and the announcement was received with the most uproarious
demonstrations of favour. A meeting was called for the evening, which
was attended by every member. The resolution approving the admission of
the lady was sustained by a number of the most extravagant speeches,
which were enthusiastically cheered. The vote was finally taken,
with what seemed to be one unanimous yell, ‘Yea!’ When the negative
vote was called, a single voice was heard uttering a timid ‘No.’ The
scene that followed passes description. A general rush was made for
the corner of the room which emitted the voice, and the recalcitrant
member was only too glad to acknowledge his error and record his vote
in the affirmative. The faculty received the decision of the class
with evident disfavour, and returned an answer admitting the lady
student. Two weeks or more elapsed, and as the lady student did not
appear, the incident of her application was quite forgotten, and the
class continued in its riotous career. One morning, all unexpectedly,
a lady entered the lecture-room with the professor; she was quite
small of stature, plainly dressed, appeared diffident and retiring,
but had a firm and determined expression of face. Her entrance into
that Bedlam of confusion acted like magic upon every student. Each
hurriedly sought his seat, and the most absolute silence prevailed. For
the first time a lecture was given without the slightest interruption,
and every word could be heard as distinctly as it would if there had
been but a single person in the room. The sudden transformation of
this class from a band of lawless desperadoes to gentlemen, by the
mere presence of a lady, proved to be permanent in its effects. A
more orderly class of medical students was never seen than this, and
it continued to be to the close of the term.
The real test of the influence of a woman upon the conduct and
character of a man in co-education was developed when the Professor of
Anatomy came to that part of his course which required demonstrations
that he believed should be witnessed only by men. The professor was
a rollicking, jovial man, who constantly interspersed his lectures
with witty remarks and funny anecdotes. Nor did he study to have his
language chaste, or the moral of his stories pure and elevating. In
fact, vulgarity and profanity formed a large part of his ordinary
lectures; and especially was this true of the lectures on the branch of
anatomy above mentioned. On this account, chiefly, he was exceedingly
popular with his class; and during his lectures stamping, clapping,
and cheering were the principal employments of the students.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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