The Employments of Women: A Cyclopædia of Woman's Work — John Shaqi
The Employments of Women: A Cyclopædia of Woman's WorkPenny, Virginia
General
The Employments of Women: A Cyclopædia of Woman's Work
Penny, Virginia
Women -- Employment
desirable change cannot be brought about so suddenly as to create any
great disturbance in the established order of things, even if the
enterprise is carried forward with all possible vigor; so that
physicians now in the field need not be greatly alarmed in prospect of
female competition." We think, all diseases peculiar to women, or
surgical operations on women requiring any exposure of person, should be
treated and performed by women alone. Many a woman suffers for months,
or years, and often a lifetime, because of that instinctive delicacy
that makes her rather suffer than be treated by a male physician. Those
that prepare themselves as physicians should be ladies of honor,
education, and refinement. In most families, after the minister of the
gospel, the physician holds the next highest place in the esteem of the
members. Other subjects than those of medicine are often discussed, and
the advice of a physician sought on matters of vital importance to those
interested. The free, unembarrassed entrance of a physician into the
sanctum of home, gives an opportunity of learning much that should be
sacredly preserved in their own hearts. A lady physician needs firmness
and dignity in the maintenance of her rights and opinions. When a woman
is weak both in body and mind, timid and fearful, how much better can
one of her own sex soothe her! It may be the nurse has not time, in a
charitable, or even in a pay institution. But if her physician is a
woman, well acquainted with her profession, and possessing discernment,
sympathy, and some knowledge of the human heart, how readily may she
read the inner as well as the outer wants of her patient! She will treat
her gently and tenderly; and if the patient be a mother, the physician
will see her family now and then, to relieve her patient's anxiety. If
she is poor, she will speak to some of her rich patients, or
acquaintances, to see that she is furnished with suitable employment
when she is well. And so she will interest herself about those matters
most male physicians would never think of, or, if they did, would
consider beneath their attention. "In Paris, for a long period, women
have studied medicine with the best physicians, who used them as
supplements, to attend the poor and do some of the hospital practice."
Two lady physicians became quite distinguished in Paris, and a hospital
was in the entire charge of one. The statistics and professional reports
of these ladies are now accepted by the best physicians in all
countries. Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell has lately established a hospital in
New York city, where ladies studying medicine can have the benefits
arising from the observation and experience acquired in a hospital. This
has long been considered almost essential in the education of male
students. In the same city is a preparatory school of medicine conducted
by professors connected with the medical schools of the city. They give
separate instruction to a class of ladies, who are admitted to the
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