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
_November 11._—Anatomy very interesting to-day; two admirable
demonstrations. Dr. Webster, full of enthusiasm, told us of
Godman, who was converted to phrenology by reading a work
against it, in order to cut it up.
_November 15._—To-day, a second operation at which I was
not allowed to be present. This annoys me. I was quite
saddened and discouraged by Dr. Webster requesting me to
be absent from some of his demonstrations. I don’t believe
it is his wish. I wrote to him hoping to change things.
_November 17._—Dr. Webster seemed much pleased with my
note, and quite cheered me by his wish to read it to the
class to-morrow, saying if they were all actuated by such
sentiments the medical class at Geneva would be a very
noble one. He could hardly guess how much I needed a little
praise. I have no fear of the kind students.
_November 20._—In the amphitheatre yesterday a little folded
paper dropped on my arms as I was making notes; it looked
very much as if there were writing in it, but I shook it off
and went on quietly with my notes. Some after-demonstration
of a similar kind produced a hiss from the opposite side
of the room. I felt also a very light touch on my head,
but I guess my quiet manner will soon stop any nonsense.
_November 22._—A trying day, and I feel almost worn out,
though it was encouraging too, and in some measure a triumph;
but ’tis a terrible ordeal! That dissection was just as
much as I could bear. Some of the students blushed, some
were hysterical, not one could keep in a smile, and some
who I am sure would not hurt my feelings for the world
if it depended on them, held down their faces and shook.
My delicacy was certainly shocked, and yet the exhibition
was in some sense ludicrous. I had to pinch my hand till
the blood nearly came, and call on Christ to help me from
smiling, for that would have ruined everything; but I sat
in grave indifference, though the effort made my heart
palpitate most painfully. Dr. Webster, who had perhaps the
most trying position, behaved admirably.
_November 24._—To-day the Doctor read my note to the class.
In this note I told him that I was there as a student with
an earnest purpose, and as a student simply I should be
regarded; that the study of anatomy was a most serious one,
exciting profound reverence, and the suggestion to absent
myself from any lectures seemed to me a grave mistake. I did
not wish to do so, but would yield to any wish of the class
without hesitation, if it _was_ their desire. I stayed in
the ante-room whilst the note was being read. I listened
joyfully to the very hearty approbation with which it was
received by the class, and then entered the amphitheatre
and quietly resumed my place. The Doctor told me he felt
quite relieved.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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