Page:The Medical School of the Melbourne University - an address delivered on the twenty fifth anniversary of the opening of the Medical School, in the Wilson Hall, March 23, 1887 (IA b22293346).pdf/16

16 position of inferiority, which would be unjust to themselves, and dangerous to those whom they might have to treat. I think the prospective medical woman admits this. She has too much self-respect, and too lively a consciousness of her social rights, to accept a qualification which would not be as complete as that possessed by her male compeer. We have, then, to consider how far it is practicable or desirable to teach mixed classes. Here, also, there is some difference of opinion, and in a communication addressed by the Council of this University to the Faculty of Medicine, requesting this latter body to frame regulations for the teaching of female medical students, it is apparently assumed that mixed classes of male and female students are not possible. The reply of the Faculty to that communication has not yet been made public, but as it is intended to be published, I do not think I am betraying any confidence, in saying that a majority of the Faculty have decided that no special regulations are required; but that if the Council insist upon such exceptional regulations being framed, it will involve a very large addition to the existing outlay in the Medical School. It will be seen, therefore, that this matter of details in the curriculum is not yet settled as between the Council and the Faculty. In the meantime, it is open for us to inquire, if in any subject of the medical course, separate classes are necessary 1 It is admitted, on all sides, that every subject must be learned, without any reservation, by young women equally with young men, and it is not less certain that the teachers of these subjects to women must be men, at any rate for some time to come. But when it is proposed that the class to which the subjects are taught shall consist of persons of both sexes, it is discovered that objections on the score of delicacy forbid it. I trust to be pardoned for dealing with this matter somewhat plainly; but as I could not well admit alluding to it, and as it would be only false modesty to evade the real point at issue, namely, that of the mixed classes, I therefore make this mention of it. For my own part, I cannot perceive any absolute or abstract indelicacy in male and female students listening together to a lecture upon any scientific subject, if only it be regarded, and I think it may be so regarded, in the cold light of science. It is a very old aphorism, but it contains a perpetual truth, that "to the pure all things are pure," and it is equally