Doctor or Doctress?

Explore American history through the eyes of women physicians

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Photographs of Woman’s Medical College students working in the chemistry lab; students observing an operation at Woman’s Medical College Hospital; and Woman’s Medical College students working learning gross anatomy by performing dissection.

Why It Matters

Although at first glance there may not seem to be numerous differences between the laboratories of the turn of the 20th century and the laboratories of today, items such as protective gear were either not available or deemed important.

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Analyze this evidence

  • These photos portray the ‘hands-on’ classes students at Woman’s Medical College were required to take. What do the photos tell you about classrooms at the end of the 19th century? How are they different from classrooms today?
  • What do you notice about the women’s clothing?