upon, roused the serious attention of the public, and from that time, little by little, the question of women's rights was removed from the domain of theory to the region of practice. Timidly, however, and in scraps were these precious " rights" extended to women, in support of which so many arguments had been adduced in the press, and which, it appears, had many ardent supporters. The fact is, that many, very many, took the part of "women's rights" in theory?in words?but, when it was desired to bring their theory to a practical solution, they not only stood aloof through distrust, but were sometimes positively hostile. Many were the failures and obstacles encountered at the commencement of this movement. The women had overstepped the threshold of the University auditory, but they had not had time to look around them and familiarize themselves with their new position, and already the doors of the University, for purposes of undergoing a course, were closed against them. But the women did not lose heart, nor either did that email section of really enlightened people, who not only in words, but in deeds, showed themselves in favour of an extension of women's rights. The women's question came again upon the scene, and although it did not, upon this occasion, give rise to such ardent and enthusiastic discussions as formerly, its merits were nevertheless enquired into and debated upon more tranquilly and seriously ; the necessity of granting to women an access to the highest education, and of extending their sphere of usefulness and activity was admitted, and became apparent to all. But it is not more than ten years ago that this general recognition became a reality, and received, so to say, flesh and blood. Cne of the first questions which presented itself in its turn was that important one of Women Doctors. In 1870 the Medical Council-General of Moscow recorded it as ne" That to such persons of the female cessary and advisable sex as are desirous to consecrate their lives to usefulness in the practice of midwifery and medicine, access should be given to the auditory (slushaniyu) of the general courses of instruction, rath the condition that on their completing a course of four years, according to a programme laid down by the Council, and after undergoing the examination qualifying for the profession of accoucheur, they should be granted the right of independent medical practice, with prerogatives of speciality as accoucheurs and gynekologists, and for the treatment of syphilis with women ant^ children, and diseases of children at the breast." The Council of the Ministry of Public Instruction, while and extending the not denying the utility of medical education for persons of the female sex, with the gift to them of the right of independent practice in a definite circle of diseases, considered it at the same time indispensable that the medical courses for women in the Universities should be separated from those for the male students. For ourselves, we are clearly of opinion that this conclusion of the Ministry of Public Instruction was far from being an encouragement to the solution of the question of female medical education ; and, in fact, the question was again laid aside for some time, and it was only two years subsequently, viz., on the 5th May, 1872, that an uhaz was issued by the supreme government to open to female students, as an experimental measure, the Imperial Medico-Surgical Academy, for a four years course of study in the highest branches of midwifery. This first serious step towards the solution of this important question constitutes one of the most brilliant pages in the series of public acts of the late War Ministry of Count Miliutin. The various restrictions wnich had been imposed on the medical courses of instruction for women by the Ministry of Public Instruction were not considered necessary or advisable by the more liberal Ministry of War. Until the year 1876 the course of medical education for female students existed on the basis of a temporary and experimental measure. In that year the location was changed from the Medico-Surgical Academy to the Nicolaeffski Military Central Hospital, in which various necessary arrangements were made to suit the requirements of this class of students. The term of study was at the same time extended and fixed at five years. In this manner were at last placed on a permanent footing the medical courses of instruction for females, which have already produced many women doctors of practical knowledge and experience in the higher branches of medical science.
strengthening
Sflccitcms. WOMEN DOCTORS IN RUSSIA. Translated from the Moscow Kuryerr of the 23rd May, by II. S. Thomson, for the Journal of the National Indian Association. tr n With, May, too 1882. Moscow, OOf-T. Many of our readers will doubtless remember the hotlycontested controversies which were waged in the press towards the end of the fifth decade of this century, regarding what is popularly known as the " women's question." Writers discussed and advocated the privileges of women, and their having equal rights with men, and demonstrated the necessity which the spread of education imposed of extending their sphere of activity and usefulness. At this time there appeared in the columns of the Sovremennik several remarkable and convincing articles from the pen of Mikhailofli. These articles, which were widely read and commented
Major
October
2, 1882.]
MEDICAL NEWS.
But though issuing from their courses with the highest medical attainments, the women doctors, owing to popular prejudice and the novelty of their situation, did not find themselves at once on a level with doctors of the sex from which the public had hitherto been accustomed exclusively to seek medical aid ; but time and practice wrought their work ; the women doctors, though severely handicapped by popular prejudice, went forth to medical service in the country states (zemstvn). and brilliantly, and in a practical manner, demonstrated, their full measure of usefulness in the alleviation of human suffering. Their activity and usefulness in remote parts has been recorded in many official reports as even greater than those of the men doctors. Possessing as great a store of medical knowledge as these latter, they threw themselves ardently and self-denyingly into their work, being moreover ensured, by the gentleness of their sex, from the pernicious concomitants of our provincial life, such as card playing, drunkenness and such like. But the most brilliant
examples demonstrating the adwomen doctors, and their claims to with were afforded in the Turkish war of men, equal rights 1877-78, during which eventful period they were enabled to tribute of render a fitting recognition to the Minister of War, whose exertions in behalf of their cause had infused life and vigour into the courses of instruction of the female students. In the quality of directing surgeons of hospitals (ardinatoroff), and of independent doctors, they at all times throughout the war laboured equally with the personnel of the men doctors, directing and assisting in the operations in th'j wards of the therapeutic and surgical hospitals. Their" usefulness and activity were not confined to the duties of ordinators" in the hospitals, but also expressed itself in independent practice in the quality of regimental doctors, or medical assistants with advanced guards and detachments, and in dressing wounds, the number of sick and wounded having overtaxed the energies of the ordinary medical regimental staff. vantage and utility of
Thus many of them worked together with the Professors of Surgery in conducting the more important surgical operations in Bulgaria, and one of the women doctors, Madame Bolbot, worked in one of the batteries of the division investing Plevna, and thoroughly and satisfactorily carried out the responsible duties devolving upon a military surgeon, transferring afterwards her sphere of usefulness to the military hospitals inside Plevna after the fall of that place. It would require more space than we have at command to recount the numerous military services of the women doctors during the late campaign, at which_we have merely glanced superficially ; they indeed fully justified the hopes which through their admission to the courses of medical instruction, their of supporters had entertainedthe their becoming useful instruempire and the general commuments in the service of
nity. Notwithstanding this, as
is doubtless known to many of readers, the Minister of War has lately stated that he does not find it convenient to retain under his control the medical courses Of instruction for women, and desires to our
hand them over to some other department. The Minister of Public Instruction also on being applied to replied that it was them under his direction, and at impossible for him to take the present time it appears more than probable that these at an early date to' the General courses will be transferred Municipal Council of St. Petersburgh. We do not doubt that this- change will be for the best, and that the Municipal Council of will honorably and thoroughly fulfil the obligations it is about to accept, and will accord to this movement the full measure of development which its rights
the?Capital
demand.
It is time, it is indeed full time, that this important question should be dealt with definitely, with a view to its being placed on a permanent and satisfactory basis.
281
strengthening
Sflccitcms. WOMEN DOCTORS IN RUSSIA. Translated from the Moscow Kuryerr of the 23rd May, by II. S. Thomson, for the Journal of the National Indian Association. tr n With, May, too 1882. Moscow, OOf-T. Many of our readers will doubtless remember the hotlycontested controversies which were waged in the press towards the end of the fifth decade of this century, regarding what is popularly known as the " women's question." Writers discussed and advocated the privileges of women, and their having equal rights with men, and demonstrated the necessity which the spread of education imposed of extending their sphere of activity and usefulness. At this time there appeared in the columns of the Sovremennik several remarkable and convincing articles from the pen of Mikhailofli. These articles, which were widely read and commented
Major
October
2, 1882.]
MEDICAL NEWS.
But though issuing from their courses with the highest medical attainments, the women doctors, owing to popular prejudice and the novelty of their situation, did not find themselves at once on a level with doctors of the sex from which the public had hitherto been accustomed exclusively to seek medical aid ; but time and practice wrought their work ; the women doctors, though severely handicapped by popular prejudice, went forth to medical service in the country states (zemstvn). and brilliantly, and in a practical manner, demonstrated, their full measure of usefulness in the alleviation of human suffering. Their activity and usefulness in remote parts has been recorded in many official reports as even greater than those of the men doctors. Possessing as great a store of medical knowledge as these latter, they threw themselves ardently and self-denyingly into their work, being moreover ensured, by the gentleness of their sex, from the pernicious concomitants of our provincial life, such as card playing, drunkenness and such like. But the most brilliant
examples demonstrating the adwomen doctors, and their claims to with were afforded in the Turkish war of men, equal rights 1877-78, during which eventful period they were enabled to tribute of render a fitting recognition to the Minister of War, whose exertions in behalf of their cause had infused life and vigour into the courses of instruction of the female students. In the quality of directing surgeons of hospitals (ardinatoroff), and of independent doctors, they at all times throughout the war laboured equally with the personnel of the men doctors, directing and assisting in the operations in th'j wards of the therapeutic and surgical hospitals. Their" usefulness and activity were not confined to the duties of ordinators" in the hospitals, but also expressed itself in independent practice in the quality of regimental doctors, or medical assistants with advanced guards and detachments, and in dressing wounds, the number of sick and wounded having overtaxed the energies of the ordinary medical regimental staff. vantage and utility of
Thus many of them worked together with the Professors of Surgery in conducting the more important surgical operations in Bulgaria, and one of the women doctors, Madame Bolbot, worked in one of the batteries of the division investing Plevna, and thoroughly and satisfactorily carried out the responsible duties devolving upon a military surgeon, transferring afterwards her sphere of usefulness to the military hospitals inside Plevna after the fall of that place. It would require more space than we have at command to recount the numerous military services of the women doctors during the late campaign, at which_we have merely glanced superficially ; they indeed fully justified the hopes which through their admission to the courses of medical instruction, their of supporters had entertainedthe their becoming useful instruempire and the general commuments in the service of
nity. Notwithstanding this, as
is doubtless known to many of readers, the Minister of War has lately stated that he does not find it convenient to retain under his control the medical courses Of instruction for women, and desires to our
hand them over to some other department. The Minister of Public Instruction also on being applied to replied that it was them under his direction, and at impossible for him to take the present time it appears more than probable that these at an early date to' the General courses will be transferred Municipal Council of St. Petersburgh. We do not doubt that this- change will be for the best, and that the Municipal Council of will honorably and thoroughly fulfil the obligations it is about to accept, and will accord to this movement the full measure of development which its rights
the?Capital
demand.
It is time, it is indeed full time, that this important question should be dealt with definitely, with a view to its being placed on a permanent and satisfactory basis.
281
