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Daughters of God
of the case. In Bible times it was not considered a proper thing for men
to act in this capacity; and it is not the will of God that men should do
this work today. Very much evil has resulted from the practice of men
treating women, and women treating men. It is a practice according
to human devising, and not according to God’s plan. Long has the
evil been left to grow, but now we lift our voice in protest against that
which is displeasing to God.—
Special Testimonies, Series B 17b:15,
16 (1911)
.
Dr. Patience Bourdeau
Dr. Patience Bourdeau was the daughter of Elder D. T. Bourdeau. At
this time she operated her own sanitarium in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
She was superintendent of the Medical Department of the West
Michigan Conference. She later married a Mr. Sisco and became
known as Dr. Bourdeau-Sisco
.
Dear Sister Patience,
I have been having a long talk with my son W. C. White as
to how we can best conduct the sanitarium at Washington, D.C. I
told him that I had a conversation with your father in reference to
your connecting with our sanitarium there. There is need of a lady
physician’s connecting with the institution at once. The experience
that we have had during the past few days has decided us to secure a
capable lady physician who can care for the women patients and be
matron of the home, that the patients may receive prompt attention
and that the helpers may be given the right kind of instruction, such as
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you can give. The young ladies connected with the institution should
be taught to act their part intelligently.
I have much written upon the subject of gentlemen physicians
giving the delicate treatments to lady patients. The light given me
is that the influence exerted by this is not good, and that grave and
serious consequences result from this generally established custom.
I have been giving instruction on the point of lady patients coming
under the examination of gentlemen physicians.
I shall advise that you be called to Washington as soon as possible,
for this is a most important time for our work there. We need you as
soon as someone can be secured to take your place.