| Show CHANGES IN PUBLIC OPINION THE changes that are wrought in public sentiment in the course of a few years aro axe nowhere more strikingly apparent than ahrn in the progress of women woman students in their I 1 1 struggles for recognition and d pr probes ofes 1 elonar rights where a short time ngo ego shouts of derision and howls of scorn and anger auger assailed those lady doctors who attempted to enter practical schools of medicine and bur sur aro are heard words of encouragement ag ement and praise from the other bes ees X and doors that were formerly slammed in their faces are now thrown wide open with a cordial invitation vi tation to enter these rema nema remarks ks apply to the old world as well as shenew in the united states and also in england and continental europe it is now acknowledged that there are women capable of becoming efm eff lelent efficient physicians competent surg burg surgeons colis coris and eafe tafe and able uis ars anu the kentl kentI sentiment ment is growing that in diseases of women and children lady doctors find appropriate and special spheres of usefulness at the annual distribution of prized to the students of the school of medicine for women in london england the noted professor hux ley presided and he made a speech from which we offer an extract as it is not only encouraging to the fair sex but is a good illustration of the effect of persistence in a righteous cause gaining aid and eulogy where once only ridicule or reproach was evoked prof huxley said sald I 1 cannot understand that it should make the slightest difference to the import anca and the tha duty on the part of women that they should do all they can to render themselves useful members of the community nor lnor should it itt prevent those who have any influence in this world from endeavoring to enable women to take up any career for which they might find themselves fitted I 1 do not understand why free trade in these matters should not apply everywhere why free access to every calling should not be thrown open to every human being the future will show whether the experiment peri ment now being made is wise or unwise I 1 have always taken great interest in the experiment which has now been working ten years and I 1 congratulate you upon the report which has just been read as it shows clearly that this has not been a mere flash in tho the pan of hasty enthus enthusiasm fum lum but that the institution is doing its work thoroughly it is at the present time timo in a more flourishing condition than ever lle lie before and sud 1 I must murt com confess dasil dessi klaty X wa wab was gratified to hear of the distinguished honors which some of the students have obtained from the Uni university verity of london that is a practical test of the highest importance I 1 venture to say so because I 1 was for twelve or thirteen years examiner of the university of london and therefore know that there is no better teat of capacity than Is there afforded the experiment has shown that there are hundreds of women who have the capacity and power to do tho the work of medical practitioners just as well as it has been done by the great majority of their brothers why under these circumstances they should not bo be allowed and encouraged to take up the profession I 1 cannot understand it may interest you aa as I 1 happened for the past twelve months to be a sr member of the medical acts commission if I 1 say a word or two as to the results eo so far as they affect you I 1 am obliged to speak guardedly because it was only this thia morning that I 1 signed the report of the committee committees which has not yet been laid before her majesty but I 1 think I 1 may without impropriety go so far as to bay say that the commissioners were deeply with the im of the question of medical education for women popular opinion is a very unsafe guide on anything any thine new to the peri od or any innovation upon preva lont jont notions or customs and even cultured minds are BO so swayed by tho the common sentiment that many ot of them are as likely as the common herd berd to join in the clamor against anything unusual no matter what may be its merits but time determination patience endurance of wrong and earnest conviction of the truth troth of any cause or principle must have their effects and the truth troth of any cause or principle must have their effects and the ual system or practice pt actipe once denounced noun ced when properly understood and divested of tho the clouds and smoke raised by unscrupulous enemies must eventually be bo recognized and will surely achieve a triumph all the more glorious fron from the 0 opposition at first evo evoked eed ced ut all reformers aho are axe misunderstood or misrepresented tako take e courage and presa onward |
