NOTABLE PIONEER.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1368, 20 February 1912, Page 9

NOTABLE PIONEER.

HEK SERVICES TO WOMEN.

The "Weekly Scotsman" of .Tanuarv 13 reports that the death took place on Sunday, at Windydcne, Sussex, of Dr. Sophia Jex-Blake, the loader of the movement for the medical education of women. Over seventy years of age, she had been in failing health for some time, but the end came with unexpected suddenness. She was the daughter of Thomas J«xBlake, a landed proprietor in Sussex, and a sister of the latp Dean of Wells. At the age of eighteen she was appointed mathematical tutor in Queen's College, London. After studying the education of girls on the Continent and in America, she took up the study of medicine in Boston under Dr. Lucv Sewall.

Male Students Hostile. In 1569 she formed one of a band of seven ladies who came to Edinburgh in search of the medical education which had been denied them in England. As the result of their united application, the Edinburgh University Court passed certain regulations "for the education of women in medicine." For sis months they, pursued their studies without interference, but subsequently a strong feeling of hostility grew up against them in certain medical circles. When they applied for permission to study in the wards of the infirmary, the behaviour of some of the male students became very hostile. On November 18, IS7O, the

ladies found al the Rales of the Surijeon'Ilall a mob of male slmlenls, roirdies and others, who slammed the Rules m their faces, usiiiß the most abusive anguuge to them, and when one student forced the gates open and admit led I In , ladies, the crowd became more demonstrative, and even thrust a sheep into »• lecture-room, a proceeding which led Hie Professor to remark that "the sheep •hail more intelligence than the ix-rsons who had sent it there." Thereafter some two dozen of the students formed n. bodv ; guard, known as the "Irish Brigade, who accompanied flic ladies for some iluys to and from the College.

A Historic Struggle. The lecturers at Surgeons' Hull iwssrd a resolution which was looked upon as a total prohibition of the attendance of the ladies at the classes. On a pefilion Mgned by 0000 women, praying Hint: ""' female students bo allowed to complete their studies, Hie Senatus decided, by a majority, not to lake any in I lia direction. Later the University Com I said that if the ladies would Rive "1> Hie question of graduation and bo rnntent with "certificates of proficieucv they would try to meet their views. Hut eeitilicates'of proficiency wer« not recognised by the Medical Act, and were therefor* useless for (he purposes o qualification. Dr. .lex-Blake had occasion to state, publicly that the lem it ol lljß rioters on one occasion was ur. >-» rls "- son's class assistant," and had to answer an action for. MM, which resulted in an award for ono farthing,damages iigainht her The costs, however, amounted to nearly .EIOOO, but so sympathetic were the n'ublic that every penny ot this was dofraved, and a surplus of Jim handed over 'for "a future Hospital for Women in Edinburgh. Then began their historic struggle with the university authorities. Triumph of Her Cause. In combination with the other six ladies, who included Dr. Agnes M Lawn, daughter of the Into Mr. Duncan M'Larcn, for many years member of Parliament for tho city; Mrs. Delncy Evans, who subsequently was married to Mr. Alexander Russcl, then editor of "Tho Scotsman ; Dr. Jex-ISlake raisod an action in 16(2, in the Court of Session, against the Senatus for declarator to compel the Senatus to allow the ladies to complete, their education and proceed to the medical degree. The Lord Ordinary (Lord Gifford) decided in favour of" the pursuers, but in June, 1873, the whole Court of Session, on appeal, reversed hi.s decision on the ground that the admission of the ladies in (he first instance had been illegal. liy way of costs Miss Jex-lilake and her friends were called upon to pay .£8!1.

The Women's Hospital. She left Edinburgh in 1874, when she founded tho London School for Medicine for Women. Three years later she obtained her dojrrce of M.D. at. lierne, in Switzerland. Shortly after she returned to Edinburgh, where she started a dispensary for women in Foutitainbridge, which has since been transferred to Torphieheri Place. Although those attending the dispensary were called upon to make a small contribution towards its expenses, the institution has been a conspicuous success. In ISSS, Dr. Jex-Wake took a small house in Grove Street, which she converted into a cottage hospital for the treatment of women's diseases. Some months later she founded the Edinburgh School of Medicine for Women, which was successfully car-" ried on for a number of years. Eight years later, in ISM, she had tho satisfaction of seeing the cause she had so much at heart triumphant, in tho university recognising the school .she had founded as qualifying for the medical degree. In 1899 tho hospit.il in Grove Street was removed to larger promises in Whitohouse Loan, an important addition to which was opened last July by Queen Mary. In 1899 Dr. Jcx-Hlakei retired from tlie practice of her profession in Edinburgh, and went to reside in her native county. On leaving she gifted the house she occupied in Bruntslield to the cottage hospital she had founded. Dr. Jex-Blako was a woman of stron» character, with remarknble fighting qualities, but she was also ten/Jer-hearted and kind.