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of experience, I am convinced that no woman who has led an impure life can be herself, that is, be in a normal condition, in the presence of a man; no matter how sacred his motive in seeking her, she can not be completely undisturbed. Women who are familiar with her usual aspect see the immediate change when he approaches. This remark is not irrelevant. What is true psychologically is also true physically, and for the same reason. Whatever the occult sexual laws may be that determine the matter, it is certain that the diseases popularly known as women's diseases create a morbid activity of the senses in the purest women. This is an openly admitted fact in hysteria, and it is equally true of all uterine diseases. A woman's presence in a sick chamber is the only presence possible without some complication of symptoms, some aggravation of the disorder. This complication and aggravation lie outside the patient's will; they may be an extreme mortification to her, but they will have to be considered nevertheless.

"The first reason, then, for educating women as physicians is the desirableness of offering them relief pure and simple-relief free from unwonted excitement, or perplexing disturbance. Another is to be found in the fact, that a vast amount of female diseases is merely simulated. It is not the less disease because it is neither functional or organic, and it is only the outgrowth of pampered imagination, or false living; but men, themselves a disturbing influence, rarely discover that it is simulated. They pity the patient. They can not tell, as women can, that a mental stimulus, a moral purpose, or a moved nature, will do more than a medicine. But a still stronger reason may be found in the impossibility of any man's penetrating the mysteries of an organism which he does not share. Possessed of an immense plexus of nerves of which he knows nothing, women are sensitive to a thousand pains, and responsive to a thousand remedies of which he can not dream."*

Now, it will be observed that Mrs. Dall distinctly makes these charges:

1. That a physician's presence in the sick-chamber is impossible without creating a morbid activity of the sexual sense, that is to say, an unchaste thought, if not an unchaste longing, even in the purest women.

2. That a vast amount of female disease is merely simulated. 3. That physicians, themselves a disturbing influence, do not recognize this fact, are unable to detect malingering where it really exists, and are so incompetent to practice.

4. As they are, also, for the reason that "it is impossible for any man to penetrate the mysteries of an organism that he does not

share."

It is unnecessary to do more than present these statements in all their grossness. We can only believe that their authoress was un

* New England Medical Gazette (Homopathic), March, 1869, p. 88.

aware what she penned. It would be wicked to believe that she spoke from any personal experience; bnt there can be no doubt that she has totally misrepresented the general experience of her sex. Physicians, to whom the treatment of the diseases of women would be simply disgusting, were it not for the belief that women really suffer physically far more in proportion to men than is generally supposed, can well afford to pass over this criticism upon themselves, however unintended it may have been, in silence; but an imputation upon the character of their patients has been made, which, unless challenged, would tend to prevent the disclosure of much real suffering, and bestowal of much real aid, and besides to lower the moral standard of professional and social intercourse with women.

If Mrs. Dall has not committed a fearful error of judgment, not only are physicians universally a curse to the community, but the daily meeting of clergyman with parishioner, of teacher with scholar, of friend with friend, unattended as these are by the disgust which is so constantly present in the case of the medical attendant, are productive of so direct and intense a degree of sexual excitement, "even in the purest women," that the very name of continence is a delusion, and of chastity a lie.

Were her statements true, no honorable man could longer continue to practice his profession. If they are true, the sooner every one, both men and women, is made to confess the fact, the better for us all and if female physicians base their claims to recognition and support on such vile slanders as these, never before in this community so distinctly stated, the sooner the better this also.

"Possessed, however, of an immense plexus of nerves of which man knows nothing, and sensitive to a thousand pains of which he can not dream," the discovery referred to will probably remain in their own possession, and that of their over-enthusiastic advocates.-Gynecological Journal.

A NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE.--We have received a circular from Kansas City, Mo., announcing that Drs. S. S. Todd, Obstetrics; J. Chew, Theory and Practice; F. Cooley, Surgery; A. B. Taylor, Anatomy; E. W. Schauffler, Physiology; W. C. Evans, Materia Medica; C. Hixson, Ophthalmology, are organized into a faculty, and will give a preliminary course of medical instruction commencing the first Monday in December instant, with the purpose of a full, complete course during the winter of 1870-1.

We are acquainted with several of these gentlemen and know them to be correct and energetic. What clinical facilities Kansas City can afford we are not advised; we certainly doubt the propriety of multiplying schools, except where the indication is

clear. We need rather a new character in our schools-more com plete plans of study, illustration, and requirement, which we will not have in America so long as we fritter away our strength in attempts to sustain a large number of second-rate institutions with inadequate classes and pecuniary resources. All this, however, we say on general principles, and with naught but the kindest hopes for the success of the Kansas City enterprise.

HENRY PROBASCO, Esq., is well known to men, women, and children of Cincinnati; indeed, his name is a household word. By foresight, energy, and tact, he has accumulated a princely fortune, and here at home it is a matter of supererogation to dwell upon such matters. But a little semi-professional matter has just occurred that makes it proper to drag his name into the paragraphs of a medical journal, showing in basso relievo that which every body here knows very well, that Mr. Probasco, having accumulated a handsome fortune, has the heart and taste and correct judgment to make his abundant means contribute not only to the æsthetic character of his home and his queen city, but to the culture and happiness of all his neighbors and townsmen at large.

Recently some thirty or forty well-known physicians of Cincinnati, by invitation, assembled in the palatial home of our townsman to enjoy a study of his works of art, which are well known to vie with any like private collections anywhere in this country or Europe. After an afternoon's pleasant company with statues and pictures and rare works of art an hour in his magnificent library, and several hours in delightful intercourse with the host -the company was invited into the handsome dining room, and did ample justice to an elegant and recherche collation. Sentiments and impromptu speeches were made by Profs. Wright, Blackman, Mussey, Norton, Buckner, Drs. James, W. B. Davis, Dawson, etc., after which the host made the pleasant, hearty talk of the occasion, in which he assured his happy guests that he had no motive whatever except a pleasant manifestation of his good will to the medical profession, and indirectly an assurance of his abundant sympathy with all his friends and fellow-townsmen in whatever pertains to good will, general culture, and progress The doctors will long remember their pleasant afternoon with Henry Probasco, of Clifton.

"MONSTROUS" LITERATURE.-We have on hand about enough original contributions on the subject of "monsters" to fill the pages of two issues of the Lancet and Observer. We select for insertion two papers on this subject, on the two sides, in this. number, and we must ask to be excused from publishing any more at present. The question has been discussed in all its bearings from time immemorial, and we suppose the opinions will continue to be about as diverse in the future as the past. Some of our correspondents have desired to indulge in personal polemics in the consideration of this question. To one and all, we say we have no room for such papers; we occasionally allow a little latitude, but only in the exceptional way.

THE OREGON MEDICAL AND SURGICAL REPORTER is the title of a new journal from the Pacific slope. Number one is before us, and is well inaugurated in matter and style. Willamette University, is the editor. Price, $4 a year.

Prof. E. R. Fiske, of the Address, Salem, Oregon.

THE PHYSICIAN AND PHARMACIST appears for November freighted with good things. Not only "pharmaceutical," Bro. Sell, but physic-al. Success to you, and may your 10,000 grow to double that stature.

THE INDIANA MEDICAL COLLEGE opened with an introductory by Prof. Bobbs, and, as we hear, with a good class.

Married.

BARNES--BENTZ-On October 14, 1869, A. B. Barnes, M. D., of Jamesport, Mo., to Miss Hattie Bentz, of Barnesville, Belmont county, Ohio.

GRAFF-RICHARDS-In New York city, at the residence of Wm. P. Kittredge, Esq., Wednesday evening, October 13, by the Rev. George Richards, Dr. M. B. Graff, of Cincinnati, O., to Miss Mary D., daughter of the late Channing Richards, of Washington, D. C.

Notices and Acknowledgments.

NEW BOOKS.-Transactions of the American Medical Association,

1869.

Riley: Therapeutics, etc. J. B. Lippincott & Co.

Lawson: Diseases and Injuries of the Eye. Lindsay & Blakiston. Hoppe-Lane: Percussion and Auscultation. J. B. Lippincott & Co.

LITERARY EXCHANGES.-Harper's Magazine enters on a new year with the December issue. The style-illustrations, and editor's table and drawer-fully sustain the character of the Harpers. Price, $4; or $6.50 for Lancet and Observer and Harper.

Godey is superb for all ladies' notions. Price, $3.

The Ladies' Repository is the best, by all odds, of American ladies' monthly magazines. A new year begins with the January issue.

The Golden Hours is a new experiment, but a successful one, As a superb magazine for boys and girls, there is nothing as yet published so perfectly satisfactory and free from objection. The first year is just complete. Price, $2 a year.

Hitchcock's New Monthly Magazine is a beautiful collection of musical, art, and literary matters. It has large, handsome pages, and the November number contains eight pages of sheet music. Address 24 Beekman street, New York. Price, $3 a year.

GEORGE E. STEVENS & Co.-Our friends interested in the purchase of medical books will find the firm of G. E. Stevens & Co. reliable and favorable as to terms. A change has been made in this firm, and instead of Blanchard & Co., we have the name heading this paragraph. See card.

TO DELINQUENTS.-We shall inexorably drop from our list a large number of names in arrears. We shall do so with regret, but we can not afford the gratuitous circulation of medical literature, however pleasant and praiseworthy. We must, therefore, expect and insist upon prompt payment of dues.

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