HOSPITAL WORK.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14024, 3 July 1913, Page 2

HOSPITAL WORK.

WOMEN'S SPHERE. PROPOSED APPOINTMENT OF A LADY DOCTOR. Woman's sphere in the medical department of the' hospital was discussed by the Auckland Hospital . C.Vuhmittee, and some interesting exchanges of opinion occurred between the male members of the Hoard and a. lady doctor who is also a member. Last week the Hospital Board agreed to the appointment of a tilth junior resident medical officer at a salary of idOO per annum, with quarters, and three applications for the position came before the committee. One was from Dr. Eleanor Baker, who was for some time in practice in Auckland. The chairman (Mr M. .T. Coyle) asked the medical superintendent whether there was" in. his opinion, any objection to the appointment of a lady to the, position. Dr. Maguire replied that the principal difficulty was concerning the quartering of a lady doctor. It would not be possible for her to he allotted rooms in the medical resident’s house, and the matter had raised similar objections with regard to her department. The Chairman : It seems to me to bo strange that in such a large-hospital with so many female patients wo cannot arrange to have a .lady doctor. Dr. Macguirc: A lady doctor . may be desirable in a woman’s or in a children's hospital, but in a. general hospital she would hare to take her share of the work in the male wards. There are several other obicetiona why such an appintmont should not be made. Dr. Florence Keller; Well, let’s have them. Dr. Macgiure; I don’t like to state them here. I will tell Dr. Keller privately. Dr. Keller; 1 have heard these yarns from men until I am tired of them. Dr. Eleanor Baker is a smart, bright, woman, with lust the experience we are wanting here, and yet her appointment is opposed because of the objection of a few men. Dr. Mcguire: Where would you accommodate a lady ’doctor? She cannot live with the four junior doctors. Dr. Keller: I would put her in the nurses’ home .or in the matron’s apartments. Dr. Maguire: The matron says she won’t have her there. The Chairman:. For my part. I am nuite prepared to give the proposal a trial. Mr Mennie moved, “That the three arrilications 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.” Dr. Maguire: She is a very nice woman, but the appointment of a lady doctor at liofiuitals has been tried before. Mr Mnckay: Was it a success? , Dr. Maguire : No. The Chairman: I cannot for the life of mo see why a ladv doctor cannot bo kept in a large hospital where four or five resident medical officers are engaged. It was agreed to refer the three names to the full Board, and to ask -the medical • superintendent and the lady superintend entto furnish reports containing their recommendations and a few matter of fact reasons connected with them.