LADY DOCTOR BARRED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11854, 4 January 1902, Page 2 (Supplement)

LADY DOCTOR BARRED.

MACCLESFIELD STAFF RESIGN IN , .. PROTEST. ' Miss MmiDOCii Clakke, of - Glasgow, was appointed junior house surgeon of Macclesfield Infirmary by the governors a few days ago/Thereupon the honorary medical staff all resigned: in a body. The present crisis has-been pending for some time. Six months ago Miss Marion Ross, of Greenock, .was appointed to this post contrary to. the recommendation of -the honorary medical staff, ■ and immediately afterwards ■■ two of them, connected ■;:' with , the institution ';; for a number of years, • resigned without giving any reason. ;'„■' "• Four local doctors were appointed in their/places, and although they raised no protest it was known tney regarded the innovation, with: disfavour, Miss Ross, however, was exceedingly popular with the patients, and nothing "occurred until her resignation a few weeks ; ago. The vacancy was advertised, ■ and applications were received from one- gentleman and two ladies ; the former, however, withdrew. ■":'-;. '■■;..; .■:',: ■ At the governors'; meeting Dr. /Ayerill, representing the honorary staff, on the governing body, read ;;, a ' long statement to the effect that the staff ■. objected to the appointment of any lady doctor. A heated/ discussion followed,/ in which this position was characterised as dictatorial, 'and ; eventually Miss Murdoch Clarke was appointed. * . . . * One of the medical officers at St. Bartholomew's Hospital informed an Express representative that none of the London hospitals employed female house surgeons, nor was it at all likely that the hospital authorities would sanction the appointment of lady medical officers. ■ " / -

"The only hospital in London,";he' said, "which employs lady house surgeons is tho Royal Free Hospital, in Gray's Inn Road. But there the /students are all " lady medicals," although the working staff is largely composed of men." Subsequently, the medical men agreed to reconsider their step. ;<: '