OLD PREJUDICES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1794, 5 July 1913, Page 11

OLD PREJUDICES.

STATUS OF THE LADY DOCTOE.

[BT IMOGEN,] It was rather surprising to read ia the papers the other Uay tho account telegraphed from Auckland of the discussion which arose at a meeting of the Hospital Committee, ■ appointed for the purpose of considering tno appointment of a junior medical officer to tUo institution. It wa9 all the more so because New Zealand has come to bo considered as being u country practically free from antiquated prejudices as to wnat work woman should do and should not do. In this case there were threo applicants for tho. position— Dr. Eleanor .Baker, who was tor some time in practice in Auckland, and two men, who are about to sit for their final examinations in Dunedin. Apparently, tho experience and qualifications of this lady were such as would justify her appointment, but when tho medical superintendent was asked by the chairman What he thought of the appointment of a .woman to the post some rather curious objections were brought forward by Dr. Maguiro. They were:—(a) Tho male resident doctors would be opposed to such an appointment; (b) the matron objected to it; (c) there would be a difficulty in finding proper accommodation for a resident woman doctor.

In making an appointment, one takes it for granted that the person with the best qualifications is appointed, and, if ttje other residont doctors object to the best interests of the suffering portion of the publio being considered, it can only be concluded that the hospital might perhaps bo better off without their services.. An argument which was brought forward on their, behalf was that they would object to losing the work of the women's ward. If there is any work that might specially be claimed as woman's work, it is that of the attendance of a woman doctor upon others of her own sex. Another argument brought forward by Dr. Maguire was that in a woman's or children's hospital a woman doctor might be desirable, but, in a general hospital, she would have to take her share of the work in the" male wards. It does not seem that theri should be any reason against her- doing so, especially considering the work that she has gone through in the course of her training. Also, if entering for such an appointment, she would naturally be quite prepared to do so.

Equally humorous were the arguments brought forward in regard to the question of finding proper accommodation for the lady should Eflie be appointed. The matron refused to give her accommodation in her quarters, and, in reply to the suggestion that she should reside in the Nurses' Home, Dr. Maguire Teplied that it ivould bo against all rules and regulations. Apparently, rules and regulations are to go on till Doomsday, no matter what changes occur in the meantime. Auckland must be the only hospital where the matron is allowed su<ih a say in the management of the board's affairs.

At the root of the whole matter waa the old, old prejudice against women doctors in the general wiork of the hospital. At the present time women have a tremendously hard battle to fight, because thoy not only have to fit themselves for the positions they covet, and for whioh their abilities qualify them, but they Jiave to fight as well the force of obstinately-plung-to prejudices, and a hostile atmo-. sphere that is enough to chill the soul of the sensitive woman. Men do not realise it because most of them have not been sailed upon to experience it.