Woman of the Century/Lucy M. Hall (original) (raw)

​HALL Miss Lucy M., physician, was born among the rugged hills of northern Vermont. She carries in her veins some of the best blood of New England, certain strains of which can be traced back to a titled ancestry in the Old World. Her education was begun in her native State, continued in Milton College, Wisconsin, and in the Dearborn Seminary. Chicago, Ill., from which she was graduated. She taught successfully for a few years, but soon after the death of her mother and father she was persuaded by the family physician to begin the study of medicine. In the spring of 1878 Dr. Hall was graduated with distinction from the medical department of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She continued her medical observations in the hospitals and clinics of New York City, and later in those of London, England, where in St. Thomas Hospital she was the first woman ever received at its bedside clinics. In Dresden, Germany, she was house physician in the Royal Lying-in and Gynaecological Hospital, under Prof. F. Winckel. From there she was called back to America, where she was appointed by Gov. Talbot, of Massachusetts, to the responsible position of physician to the State Reformatory for Women in Sherborn. Connected with the prison was a hospital of one-hundred -fifty beds, likely to be filled from a body of from three to four hundred inmates, bringing with them all the ills and diseases following the train of ignorance, vice and crime. "Four years later," writes Clara Barton, "it became my privilege, as superintendent of that prison, to observe how that duty was discharged by its resident physician. Perfect system prevailed. No prisoner could enter upon her term without a care ful diagnosis of her physical condition and administration of the needful treatment. If any trace of mental trouble manifested itself, the case was closely watched and tenderly cared for. The most difficult surgical operations were performed, not only without loss of life, but with marked success. The control of the doctor over her patients, and these included from time to time nearly every inmate, was simply marvelous, and her influence throughout the entire institution not less remarkable. Among all classes she moved as one born to command, that most successful of all command, the secret of which lies in tact, conscious ability and sympathy with mankind. So long as that prison remains a success, so long will the influence of Dr. Hall's early administration and example for good be felt there." After nearly five years of service there, she was appointed superintendent by acclamation of the governor and his council. Though grateful for the honor, she declined the position, as its acceptance would necessitate the giving up of her medical work. Soon after that she formed a partnership with her distinguished colleague, Dr. Eliza M. Mosher, and together they began to practice in the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., where they still reside. In the autumn of 1884 they were appointed associate professors of physiology and hygiene and physicians to Vassar College, resigning in 1887, very much to the regret of all LUCY M. HALL.concerned. During the same year, upon the occasion of the semi-centennial commencement of the University of Michigan, Dr. Hall, as first vice-president of the Department of Medicine and ​Surgery, was called upon to preside at the meeting of that body. As her colleagues many of the most eminent physicians and professors of the land were present. Afterward one of them remarked: "I had predicted that fifty years after the admission of women a scene like this might occur. My prophecy has been anticipated by more than thirty years." As a writer Dr. Hall has contributed many articles upon health topics to the best magazines and other periodicals of the day. Her writings are characterized by a strength of thought, knowledge of her subject and a certain vividness of expression which holds the attention of the reader. Dr. Hall is a member of the Kings County Medical Society, of Brooklyn; of the Pathological Society; of the New York Medico-Legal Society, of which she has been treasurer; of the New York Academy of Anthropology; of the American Social Science Association, of which she is also vice-president, and a large number of other organizations, both in New York and Brooklyn. In the fall of 1887 she was appointed central committee delegate to the fourth International Conference of the Red Cross, of Geneva, held in Carlsruhe, Germany By invitation she was a guest at the court of their Royal Highnesses, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Baden. The latter will be remembered as the only daughter of the revered old Kaiser William and Empress Augusta. That high conference brought Dr. Hall into contact with very many of the most noted personages of the European courts, and that for a series of royal occasions and a length of time sufficient to challenge the scrutiny of the most critical. She passed not only unscathed, but with the highest commendations, everywhere doing honor to America and to American womanhood. Her elegance of bearing was a subject of personal remark. The respect of Her Royal Highness, the Grand Duchess, was marked and thoughtfully manifested by the appreciative gifts bestowed as tokens of remembrance. Dr. Hall became the wife of Robert George Brown, of New York, on 29th December, 1891.