Sciences _The Ellen Richards_ American Association for Advancement of Thesis 1,000 dollars
_Research Prize_ Research Work by Women. Hon. Sec., (L204, 10s.)
Mrs A.D. Mead, 283 Wayland Avenue,
Providence, R.I.

SECTION II

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION INCLUDING DENTISTRY

I

MEDICINE AND SURGERY

It may be safely claimed that, although there is still much to be
done, in medicine women have gained as good a position as in any other
branch of labour.

One of the most important considerations in discussing any branch of
women's work is what sort of women are suited for it. The following
are the chief requisites for the medical profession:--

(1) The first and most important qualification is enthusiasm. It is
impossible to follow this profession with success, unless it is
work for which one has not only aptitude but also natural taste. It
necessitates a very strenuous life, and many unpleasant details of
work, which are unimportant to a person to whom the occupation
is acceptable as a whole, but which would be quite insuperably
disagreeable to any one to whom the total idea of life embodied in it
was unattractive.

(2) Another very important qualification is a knowledge of men and
things. A doctor must never forget that she is dealing primarily with
human nature; certainly human nature which may be for a time
unhinged, or the mechanism of which may not be working smoothly, but
nevertheless with the human individual as a whole.

The so-called "bedside" manner which is the butt for so much ridicule
is not so purely ridiculous as one might be tempted to think. Its
basis is to be found in this very knowledge of human nature which is
so essential, although the superstructure is often nothing more than
vapid futility. In addition to this the ideal doctor should possess a
trained scientific mind, and, of the two, the former is infinitely
the more important, although the latter is very valuable, not only for
itself, but for the training which it gives in "tidy" thinking.

(3) Good health. A sick doctor is an anomaly and many people prefer
to be indifferently treated by some one who is cheerful and healthy,
rather than have the most expert advice from a woeful person.

(4) A good general educa