Punch (74.1878)

34 PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI. [January 26, 1878.

ADEN.

Perspiring Sub. {the Regiment had just arrived at the Garrison—to Non-Commissioned
Officer). "Well, Coeporal Casey, weat do you think of Aden?"

Corporal. " Phew ! Shure I don't wonnder Adam an' Ave was onasy in't, Sorr !]! "

THE PAIR SEX AND THE FACULTY.

A Meeting of the Amalgamated Medical Practitioners' Union was held last night in
their Protection Hall, to consider the steps requisite to be taken in consequence of the
adoption by the University of London Convocation of their Supplementary Charter,
admitting Women to Medical Degrees.

Dr. Slop was unanimously voted into the Chair.

The Chairman said he was a practitioner of the old school. When he commenced
practice he had, to be sure, some few women for competitors. But they were all of them
unrecognised rivals. In those days nobody ever thought of warranting them by suffering
them to take degrees. The University of London had opened the door of the Medical
Profession to the female sex, of whom numbers of course would immediately rush into it,
whereas it was overstocked already. The question was, what steps could be taken to
counteract the effect of that ill-judged proceeding, which must otherwise result in taking

bread out of mouths that were none too
fall of it. Union was strength; find the
Amalgamated Medical Practitioners' Union
must put a pressure upon Society. {"Hear,
hear.'")

Mr. Knight Bell said the Chairman had
anticipated a rush of females into the pro-
fession. Perhaps he was afraid it would
be an "ugly rush." On the contrary, the
danger was, that the rush would be a deal
too pretty. The female graduates in Medi-
cine would not be old women like those the
Chairman had alluded to. They would all
be young, and too many of them good-
looking and attractive. The family doctor,
therefore, would have to contend with them
at a great disadvantage, and he said this
feelingly. {Laughter.) Beauty would carry
it over brains. {Ironical Cheers.) To pre-
vent that, something ought to be done.
{Applause.)

Sir W. Jenkins discarded the apprehen-
sion that any injury would be done to
medical men by female practitioners. He
objected to them on public grounds, and
for their own sakes. Medical studies would
tend to destroy female grace and refine-
ment, and all those charms which rendered
ladies ornaments of the domestic circle.
{Hear.) The faculties of women's minds
unfitted them for medical reasoning. Life
and death were not to be trusted in their
fair but fragile hands. {Cheers.) These
considerations should determine the Union
to offer an organised opposition to the em-
ployment of medical women. It had been
said, '1 Why not leave it alone ? None
need employ female doctors but those who
choose." Such reasoning was specious, but
unsound. He wished it were possible for
the Profession to combine in a strike
against all employers of female medical
skill. But this, unhappily, was out of the
question. There was, however, one course
open to them, and he would earnestly
advise them to adopt that. He would ac-
cordingly move a .Resolution—"That the
Amalgamated Medical Practitioners do one
and all pledge themselves to decline meet-
ing any female practitioner whomsoever,
and under whatsoever circumstances in
consultation."

The Resolution having been seconded by
Dr. Galley Potter, was put from the Chair
and carried with vociferation.

SANDIE AND SUNDAY.

The members of the Glasgow Working
Men's Protestant Association appear to have
reached a high point of moral and spiritual
insight. The Prince of Wales having chosen
Sunday for the day of his arrival at Hamil-
ton, they memorialised his Royal Highness
to change it, "in order that," say the memo-
rialists, "a violation of the Lord's Day may
be avoided, and that the excellent ex-
ample of your illustrious father may be fol-
lowed by you as a patron and supporter of
all means to maintain inviolate the Lord's
Day, and thus evince that righteousness
which exalteth a nation." From their
point of view, then, the righteousness
which exalteth a nation principally con-
sists in total abstinence from travelling on
a Sunday. This, truly, is a righteousness
exceeding (in its way) that of the Phari-
sees, for they did allow of a Sabbath day's
journey.

mxtsic eor the million.

Wanted, a Composer to produce Ovei
tures for Peace, which the belligerents will
listen to.