FAMOUS WOMAN DOCTOR

Hawera Star, Volume L, 19 January 1931, Page 7

FAMOUS WOMAN DOCTOR

LONG AND USEFUL OAIREtEtR, HUMOROUS PRESCRIPTION. ! Dame Mary Ann Da comb Seharlieb, whoso death took place iu London on November 22. had long; been regarded as ojio of the most eminent of women physicians and surgeons. She was among the pioneers of her sex in the science of healing, having received the diploma. of the Madras Medical College fifty-two years ago. the M.B. and B.S. degrees of London Universiy foair years later, and the M.B. of London in 1888. The late Dr. Elisabeth Garrett Anderson was practising some thirteen years before her, and chained the M.IX of Paris in 1870. hut' Dame Mary Seharlieb was the first woman to se-i cure the London M.B. degree, and she* further distinguished herself in IS9GI hv • taking the degree' of Master ofj [Surgery at London University. ' Thei D.B.E'. was eonfered upon her in'l926, | she having been created C-.8.E. nine years earlier. During her long and brilliant career Dame Mary did excellent work for her sex. both as surgeon and physician and as an active and successful leader in the movement for the raising of the status of professional women. One of her greatest achievements was to interest Queen Victoria, in the importance of providing special medical service for women in India;. A native of London, the deceased wa«. 20 years old when she married Mr. William Mason Seharlieb, a barrister with a practice in India. Having become deeply interested in the welfare of Indian women, and being shocked! at the sufferings they often had to undergo, she resolved to study medicine so that she might he better qualified to help tlnn in fhir bodily ailments. Deceased was an excellent speaker. Organiser and teacher, and she had a keen sense of humour. A wealthy woman once took her daughter to consult Dr. Seharlieb. who at once perceived that the girl’s only complaint was that she had too little to do. Asked by the j anxious mother if she could prescribe fin- the young woman. Dame Mary rcI plied, with a twinkle in her eyes: “Why, yes. T suggest that she should return home, take a long, stiff-bristled broom, and sweep a heavy pile carpet for two hours-.”