Page:Address on the Medical Education of Women (1864) - Blackwell.djvu/16

 during that time. Many of the best men of the medical profession in New York are now prepared to encourage the formation of a medical school for women, in connexion with it. The Trustees of the Infirmary entered into negotiations this spring with the leading medical colleges of New York, to obtain their counsel in this matter. The subject was carefully considered by them; and the result was an expression of friendly interest in the object, with a recommendation to pursue our present plan of action.

We have thus two important elements to start with: an institution of several years' standing, whose directors, whose aims, whose manner of working are already known and approved of; and the friendly confidence of an influential portion of the profession.

Two other things are now wanted, in order to establish a college: money, which men so liberally give; social influence, which women can so effectually exert.

We need such an endowment as will enable us to secure the assistance of first-rate professors, and to commence such a system of education as I have described—thorough, and practical in its character.

It is also necessary that such a body of ladies as well as gentlemen shall join with the Trustees of the Infirmary, as corporators of the College, as will assure the public and the profession, that this effort possesses the sympathy and support of the women of New York.

In appealing to our fellow-citizens for support, or in asking the profession for their aid, it is justly a first consideration with them—is this effort endorsed by the women of our city!

The question has been asked us repeatedly by business men and by physicians.—Can you show that women want this thing done? We know that this question can be answered in the