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History of medical practice in Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

History of medical practice in Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

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446 <strong>History</strong> <strong>of</strong> Medical Practice <strong>in</strong> Ill<strong>in</strong>ois"The exam<strong>in</strong>ation was oral and fair <strong>in</strong> most <strong>of</strong> the departments. Thegynecologist and the obstetrician tried to get us <strong>of</strong>f balance by mak<strong>in</strong>gvulgar jokes. The surgeon tried to wreck us. We faced th<strong>in</strong>gs as best wecould, but, <strong>of</strong> course, did not receive an appo<strong>in</strong>tment. But one po<strong>in</strong>t wedid ga<strong>in</strong>. We made our surgeon feel ashamed <strong>of</strong> his work and made himturn over a new leaf. A subsequent memorable <strong>in</strong>terview with him resulted<strong>in</strong> his say<strong>in</strong>g: 'I'll give you bare surgery.' He was an excellent surgeon and af<strong>in</strong>e teacher and all <strong>of</strong> the next year he delivered splendid lectures. Whenthe class <strong>of</strong> 1881 came up, no one was more <strong>in</strong>terested than he to have themstand well. He resigned but ever s<strong>in</strong>ce has been a warm friend <strong>of</strong> the cause.A few days later through the earnest efforts <strong>of</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essor D. R. Brower wewere <strong>in</strong>vited to come up for exam<strong>in</strong>ation for <strong>in</strong>terns at Dunn<strong>in</strong>g. Threeappo<strong>in</strong>tments were to be made. The exam<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g committee consisted <strong>of</strong>two pr<strong>of</strong>essors <strong>of</strong> each college and two who were supposed to be dis<strong>in</strong>terestedmembers. The exam<strong>in</strong>ations extended over two even<strong>in</strong>gs, oneoral and one written. For the oral exam<strong>in</strong>ation we met <strong>in</strong> Dr. Jewell's<strong>of</strong>fice. The young men felt sure <strong>of</strong> the victory, but the tables had turned.The Woman's College was ahead this time, and after the oral exam<strong>in</strong>ationthe boys looked quite crestfallen. Privately we were <strong>in</strong>formed that theWoman's College stood first, but <strong>in</strong> the recommendation to the commissionersthey gave it the second appo<strong>in</strong>tment. The expected confirmation bythe commissioners never took place. A young man from St. Louis, a brother<strong>in</strong>-law<strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong> the dis<strong>in</strong>terested members <strong>of</strong> the Board, was put on with-no use <strong>of</strong> try<strong>in</strong>g aga<strong>in</strong>. Aout an exam<strong>in</strong>ation! Now we were told there iswoman will never be appo<strong>in</strong>ted, but for all that some <strong>of</strong> the middle yearstudents determ<strong>in</strong>ed to prepare for the com<strong>in</strong>g exam<strong>in</strong>ation."Dr. Mary E. Bates, then not quite 21 years old, was notified that shehad passed for the position <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>tern <strong>in</strong> Cook County Hospital! Of course,the joy was great, but then came the dread <strong>of</strong> a woman be<strong>in</strong>g able to succeed<strong>in</strong> the face <strong>of</strong> an attend<strong>in</strong>g staff, who as a whole did not believe <strong>in</strong> a womanfor that place." Dr. Mergler quoted one <strong>of</strong> the pr<strong>of</strong>essors as say<strong>in</strong>g:"Shenever would venture to go on duty if she knew what was before her. It isher youthful ignorance which gives her courage." However, the fame shejustly won speaks for itself.In the year 1885, Dr. Carrie Brewer received the appo<strong>in</strong>tment as alternate.In 1886, Dr. Rose Talbot passed for alternate, and <strong>in</strong> 1887, Dr. RachelHickey received the appo<strong>in</strong>tment as <strong>in</strong>tern. In 1888, two <strong>of</strong> the students <strong>of</strong>the Woman's College came up for the Cook County exam<strong>in</strong>ations and both<strong>of</strong> the women received appo<strong>in</strong>tments, Dr. Jeanette Kearsley as <strong>in</strong>tern andDr. Helen Gilman as alternate.In the year 1889, there were two competitive exam<strong>in</strong>ations, one for positions<strong>in</strong> Cook County Hospital and one for the Ill<strong>in</strong>ois Eye and Ear Infir-

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