WOMAN'S OPPORTUNITY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1634, 28 December 1912, Page 10

WOMAN'S OPPORTUNITY.

THE BEIT SCHOLARSHIPS. The Beit Scholarships, two of which (reports the "Sydney Morning Herald") have just been won by Australian women, were founded 'by Mr. Otto Beit, in memory of his brother, Mr. Alfred Beit, a South African millionaire. Mr. Beit de-. dicated a quarter of a million to founding scholarships in medical research, available to competitors throughout the British Empire. The scholarships which are 10 in number, are granted every year, and laet for three years, so that after this year, which is the third time they have been awarded, there will bo 30 students engaged in medical'research at the different institutes. The scheme is an Imperial one, just as the Rhodes Scholarship is; but.it has this advantage over the Rhodes it includes women in its benefits. The first year the scholarships were awarded, three out of the 10 went , to women; last year also women had their share, and it ia indeed a distinction that this year two Australian-women should havo received the scholarships. Dr. Elsie Dalyell is .the first woman in New South Wales to win a 'Beit Scholarship. Three years ago, when she graduated with first-class honours—the first woman to receive: such distinction in medicine—she caused a flatter amongst the "old girls."'- This was followed .by her appointment • as Resident at tho, Royal Prince. Alfred Hospital—another, record for q, woman—and later on by the appointment, as pathologist at the same hospital, and then at the Children's. Then, not content with all this record -breaking, Dr. Dalyell was;tho first woman appointed to : tho position of demonstrator in the Medical School, and she is. now senior demonstrator , in. pathology, under Professor 'Welch. <And now comes her latest achievement—sho is the first woman .in New South Wales to. win a ' Beit Scholarship, and next year, under the'provisions of the.scholarship, she will:go to London' to do. research work in gastro-en teritis at the Lister Institute. .

Dr. Dalyell has already devoted much time, to this subject, but. she has before her. a field that is almost untouched. It is one that is of tremendous importance to the infant community, and itseems peculiarly, fitting that a, woniaji should specialise/in it. Dr. Dalyell has just joined the Ecnwick Hospital for infants, where she '.will have 'opportunity for, practical shidy -iii-'hef'subject, for, unfortunately, at this, time of the year, gastro-enteritis is the chief'sickness with babies. But though -she' is ; looking forward with interest to several months' useful work at the Kenwick, her thoughts are travelling towards London and the freedom she will have to devote all her time to her beloved research work. "You remember I always was curious," she said to an interviewer," "and it's just my insatiable curiosity that's led ma on and on. When I was doing biology in my science course, I felt that I wanted to know all about the human organism, so I went, into medicine—out of pure curiosity." But isn't curiosity the motive power oi all scientists? . '"They say so," with a laugh. But it will be grand for threo whole years not to have to think'of ways and'means, but to go Tight ahead finding out what I want to know." ,\ For with Dr. Dalyell, as with most Australian professional women, the way has not always been.clear, and many a weary .hour had to be stolen from the beloved work to keep the way open at all. But the Beit Scholarship, with its .£250 a year, has made the way very easy for the next three years, and we feel sure that Dr., Elsie Dalyell, science research' student, will reach her goal, just as surely as the vellow-liaired, flying school girl reached, ■'home," under the fig trees, so lons ago. .