It has often been urged that a record should be preserved of some of the first efforts by means of which the medical profession of our day has been opened to women.
In the belief that a large providential guidance may often be recognised in the comparatively trivial incidents of an individual life, this request of many friends is here complied with.
The possession of old journals and of family correspondence gives accuracy to these details of past years.
Hastings, 1895.
CONTENTS
| CHAPTER I EARLY YEARS 1821 | |
| PAGE | |
| Family Life in England—Walks around Bristol—May MissionaryMeetings—A Vivid Reminiscence—Bristol Riots—EarlyReligious Impressions—Emigration to the UnitedStates—Schooldays in New York—Anti-slavery—Removalto Ohio—The Struggle of Life—Establishment of Boarding-school—TheWider Education of Women—Join the EpiscopalChurch—General Harrison’s Election—Transcendentalism—TheRev. W. H. Channing’s Congregation—Experiencesin Henderson, Kentucky | [1] |
| CHAPTER II EARNING MONEY FOR STUDY 1845 | |
| The Medical Idea taking Shape—Lack of an Absorbing Object—Objectionto falling in Love—Struggles with Disinclinationto the Study of Medicine—The Moral Aspect of theWork conquers—Resolution to earn Money for Study—Journeyto Asheville, N.C.—Life in Asheville—Journey toCharleston, S.C.—Teaching at Mrs. du Pré’s—ReadingMedicine with Dr. S. H. Dickson—Sivori Concerts—Calhounon States Rights—Dr. Warrington on Medical Study—Boarding-schoolExperiences—Summer at Aiken, S.C. | [26] |
| CHAPTER III STUDY IN AMERICA 1847 | |
| Searching for a College—Application to Colleges of Philadelphiaand New York—Interviews with Professors—AnatomicalStudy with Dr. Allen—Lectures at Dr. Warrington’s—Applicationto other Schools—Joyful Result—Life at College—Residencein Blockley Almshouse—Graduation | [58] |
| CHAPTER IV STUDY IN EUROPE 1849 | |
| Glimpse of the Black Country—Visit to Medical Institutionsof Birmingham—Stay in London—Fashionable Life—Visits:to Dr. Carpenter, to Professor Owen, to St. Thomas’sHospital, to Dr. Wilkinson—Leave for Paris—DescriptiveLetters—Interview with Lamartine—Interview with PoliceOfficial, with M. Louis—Difficulties to be overcome—PoliticalTroubles in Paris—Entrance into La Maternité—SevereLife there—Friendship with the Interne—A Sortieand Hypnotic Séance—Serious Accident—Visit to Gräfenberg—Lifethere—First Patient—Study in London—Admissionto St. Bartholomew’s—Visit to Rev. Dr. Leifchild—HospitalExperiences—Medical Scepticism awakens—Letterto Dr. S. H. Dickson—Social Relaxation—Woman’s RightsMovement in the United States—Visit to Miss Nightingale—Visitto Lady Byron—Opening of the Great Exhibition—AnxiousDiscussion as to remaining in England—FarewellVisits—Last Days in England | [96] |
| CHAPTER V PRACTICAL WORK IN AMERICA 1851 | |
| Settlement in New York—First Medical Consultation—Lectureson the Physical Education of Girls—Formation of IndependentDispensary—Quaker Help—Incorporation of theNew York Infirmary, 1854—Letters descriptive of EarlyDifficulties—Purchase of House—Adoption of Child—FirstDrawing-room Address—Sister resolves to study—Lettersto her whilst in Europe—Amusing Experience with Dr.Simpson of Edinburgh—Joined by Dr. Emily Blackwell inNew York | [190] |
| CHAPTER VI ENGLAND REVISITED 1858 | |
| Letter from Paris—Acquaintance with Dr. Trélat of La Salpêtrière—Addressesgiven in England—Result of LondonAddresses—Circular for proposed Hospital—Letters fromLondon—Registered as English Physician, 1859—Reasonsfor returning to New York—Work there continued—CivilWar—Ladies’ Sanitary Aid Association established—Incidentsof the War—Establishment of Infirmary MedicalSchool—Letters from Miss Elizabeth Garrett—SanitaryWork of the New York Infirmary | [213] |
| CHAPTER VII RETURN TO ENGLAND 1869 | |
| The Social Science Congress of 1869—Medical Work—HealthWork—Moral Work | [241] |
| Appendix | [255] |