The Times, January 7, 1868
THE EMPLOYMENT OF EDUCATION WOMEN
TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES
Sir, - In your able article on the Workshop Regulation Act, you draw a
faithful picture of the many obstacles which exist in the way of women procuring
honest and profitable employment in England. This difficulty is felt quite as
much, if not more, by the educated classes as by those lower in the social
scale; witness the over-stocked condition of the governess market. I would not
venture to trouble you with these remarks were it not that is it in my power to
direct the attention of ladies thrown up their own resources to an occupation
well adapted for them, which as yet has but comparatively few disciples - viz,
the practise of obstetrics, as taught at the Ladies' Medical College, 4,
Fitzroy-square. The proof that this is an occupation ladies will find both
suitable and profitable is shown by the fact that patients attended by some of
those who have passed through the curriculum of study prescribed at the college
are desirous to testify in every way their appreciated of the attendance of
ladies in these delicate cases. It is a branch of woman's work which has been
strangely neglected of late years in this country, though pursued with much
honour and profit by women in other parts of the world. What, in fact, can be
more essentially an occupation fit for properly trained women than that they
should be the attendants on their sisters at seasons when the assistance of a
skilled woman is preferable to any other? That educated ladies can act ably as
accoucheuses and obstetrices is undergoing daily proof.
I shall be happy to give any information either to ladies
desirous of entering the college or to those who would like to secure the
attendance of a qualified accoucheuse, and thus aid in extending the field of
honourable female employment. I am, Sir, yours
faithfully,
ISABEL THORNE.
18, Charles-street, Grosvenor-square, W.
letter to The Times, January 1868
THE FEMININE "FACULTY."
New Housemaid (to her Master). "O, SIR! I'M GLAD YOU'VE COME IN. THERE'S A PARTY A WAITIN' IN THE SURGERY TO SEE YOU." (It was Mrs. Dr. Mandragora Nightshade, who had called professionally about "a Case.") "HE - SHE - WOULD COME IN, SIR - AND - I THINK" (shuddering) "IT'S A MAN IN WOMAN'S CLOTHES, SIR!!!"
Punch, May 24, 1873