... I researched through the London papers and have found an old wedding announcement for Mr. and Mrs. Steven Chadwick Doyle from many years ago. I must say that Sir Doyle certainly was handsome in his younger days and quite dashing. I wonder if by chance that Mr. and Mrs. Doyle had a long engagement since they seemed to resemble one another early in their years together. One would assume by looking at this photo that Sir Doyle married himself but as he mentioned they did in fact look "somewhat alike."
I would like to apologize to Sir Doyle if I implied that his wife was homely or desperate. Let all members of my fine establishment hear me say that "I am sorry, and I think CJ was exceptionally handsome. I am sure that he was lucky to have found such a fine haired lady to be his bride. Her grace and beauty will surely forever live in infamy."
One last note if I may...
While we are awaiting the details of Sir Doyle's adventure may I request that Dr. Stuanton give us a short description of how she became a doctor. It is most unusual in this day and age... and I am intrigued to hear a few details concerning her training and any odd bit that we all may find useful for a short discussion.
Oh goodness me, Miss Finley. It is nothing near miracle to find a woman doctor as some make it out to be. It is quite simple.
ReplyDeleteFor years after my mother had died, I worked alongside my father as his assistant. I learned much from my father as he'd had formal training as a doctor and was not so closed minded that he felt a woman unable to understand the science of the field. He'd noticed that when he attended to his female patients that they seemed to be quite comforted at my presence and therefore began to take me with him on his rounds. It was quite a fine time for me, learning all that I could from a man I greatly respected.
When I came of age, since my father was the youngest of four sons and my Grandfather only minor gentry, there was not much that would afford me a place in society and I could not tempt a rich man to marriage since I had no fortune. My father had little to leave me at his passing and he knew that he would not, therefore he decided that he would help me to learn a vocation. Unusual, perhaps, but not insensible.
My father had a friend who was from the Colonies but had studied in Englad and told him about a Medical College for Women that had opened in Pennsylvania in the year eighteen and fifty. It was there that I had my formal education and I was then accepted into residency in New York at the New York Infirmary for Women and Children, opened by Elizabeth and Emily Blackwell and Maria Zakrzewska in eighteen fifty-seven.
I spent several years working with the Blackwells and Ms. Zakrzewska before I returned to England to work with my father again, taking over his care of his female and child patients. We did discover, quite quickly that I would most likely never have a male patient unless it was a case of emergency, though I did hold quite a bit of respect among most of my father's friends.
It is only natural that there were many men of the profession who have declared that I am incompetent simply because I am a woman, but I assure you, science does not look at gender when it reveals its truths.
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ReplyDeleteYou are a credit to women everywhere and a blessing to medical science. Why it's just remarkable. I am most impressed and will surely call for you if I am ever in need.
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