THE LADY DOCTOR.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1790, 1 July 1913, Page 6

THE LADY DOCTOR.

BOARD'S DILEMMA,

APPOINT HER TO HOSPfTAL?

(By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.) Auckland, .Tune 30. The question of woman's sphere in tlio medical world, or at least that phase of it relating to hospital work, was the subject of discussion at this morning's meeting cf the Hospital Committee. Last week the Hospital Board ngreed to tho appointment of a fifth junior resident medical officer, at a salary of .£IOO per annum with quarters, and, this morning, three applications for the position camo before tfie committee. One was from Dr. Eleanor Baker, who was for some time in practice in Auckland, and the other two were .from Me.;srs. Fin lay and Spedding, both of whom aro about to sit for their final examinations in Dunedin. The chairman (Mr. M. J. Coyle) asked the medical superintendent 'whethef there was, in his opinion, any objection to the appointment of a lady to'the position. Dr. Maguiro replied that the principal difficulty concerned the quartering of a lady doctor. It would not be possible for her to be allotted rooms in tho medical resident's house, and tlio matron had raised similar objections with regard to her department. The chairman: It seems to me to bo Btrango that in such a large hospital, with so many female patients, we cannot arrange to liavo a lady doctor. "Terrible Creatures These Men!" Dr. Maguire: A lady doctor may he desirable in a women's or in a children's hospital, but, in a general hospital, slio would have to take lier .share of the work ill the male wards . There aro several other reasons why such an appointment should not be made. Dr. P. Kellar: Well, let us hear them. Dr. Maguire: I don't like to stato them here,' but will tell Dr. Keller privately. Dr. Keller: I 'have heard these yarns from men until I aiii tired of them. Dr. Eleanor Baker is a smart, bright woman, with just experience that we are wanting here, and yet her appointment is opposed because of the objections of a few men. The chairman (jocularly) i Terrible creatures, these men! Dr. Keller (seriously): Oh, men are all right in their place! Mr. P. M. Mackay: Will you tell U3 what is their place? Dr. Keller: Wo won't discuss that now. I take it that we aro considering a moro serious matter. ' Lady's Friends and Opponents, Dr. Jlaguire: Where would you accommodato a lady doctor? She could not live with the four junior doctors. Dr. Keller: I would put her in the Nurses's Home, or "in the matron's apartments. Dr. Maguiro: The matron says she won't have her there. The chairman: For my part' I am quite prepared to givo the proposal a trial. Mr. Mennio moved: "That the three applications be sent on to the full board for consideration." The • chairman: I will move as an amendment "That Dr. Eleanor Baker be offered the position." Mr. L. J. Bagnall said that he knew Dr. Baker to bo a very clever woman. Dr. Maguiro ; She is a very mice woman, but the appointment of lady doctors at hospitals has been tried before . Mr. M'Kay: Was it a success? Dr. Maguire: No. Tho chairman: I cannot for the life ot me see why a lady doctor cannot be kept in a large hospital where four or five resident medical officers aro engaged. _ Mr. Bagnall suggested that tho situation might be dealt with by the appointment of a visiting lady doctor. Dr. Keller: We liavo one already. Dr. Frost is a member of tho visiting staff. It was eventually agreed to refer tho three names to the full board, and to ask the medical superintendent and the lady superintendent to furnish reports containing their recommendations and a few matter-of-fact reasons connected therewith. .