Academic careers of women at the Faculty of Medicine of the Stefan Batory Vilnius University in the interwar period (1919 – 1939)
There was a characteristic elevation in the position of women on the territory of Poland after the first World War – not only when it came to acquiring voting rights but also regarding the carrying out of female aspirations related to obtaining professional certifications and necessary qualifications. That period of time is even sometimes shortly referred to as a ‘female knowledge rush’ where women were taking care of the development of their academic careers.
I want to illustrate this issue using the example provided by the medical faculty of the Vilnius University, one of the several faculties that operated at that university from 1919 to 1939. It is worth emphasizing that the aforementioned faculty foresaw – even as late as the end of the 19th century – a number of restrictions related to women. A woman attending the Medical Faculty was, at the very least, seen as behaving somewhat inappropriate.
How elderly lady gives advices- health and beauty on the example of ‘Novel about the Rose’
‘Novel about the Rose’ is a French poem, which first part was written by Wilhelm de Lloris in year 1230, second part goes to Jean de Meum in 1280 year. This piece is a seen, which tells us about travelling of the main hero through the love garden, which is inhabited by personifications. The main heroin of few chapters, who is also the teller, is this elderly lady, who show us her ideas about the nature and freedom. She gives some advices, how to be pleasant and she teaches women how to take care about their health, especially their beauty. Jan from Meum, the author of second part of this piece reveal us his image about relations between men and women. He teaches, how to treat or hide some illnesses. Itch is the main disease, he writes mostly. Jan from Meum gives a purpose in smilling and crying, what is more he encourages women to every cosmetic movements, make up for example. He knows the canons so he distinguishes beautiful and ugly women. Moreover he is conscious of the fashion from the thirteen century. Hair is for him one of the most important criterion. Furthermore he recommends fun and dance. Ideas connected with this novel which are totally different from church’s point of view, makes this book loved and hated in the same time. Thanks to that masterpiece we are aware of daily life of main characters and their visions and decisions of highly educated people from France in thirteen century.
Research on the Calabar bean (Physostigma venenosum Balf.) in 19th century medical and pharmaceutical journals
The Calabar bean (Physostigma venenosum Balf.) is both a poisonous and medicinal plant. Its toxic properties were investigated by William Freeman Daniell (1817-1865), a British surgeon and botanist. He reported that a water extract, milky in colour obtained from the seeds of a certain plant was used in the 'judgements of god' as the poison of test in Old Calabar. This drew the attention of Robert Christison (1797-1882), a Scottish physician, toxicologist and professor of materia medica in Edinburgh, who conducted experiments using the Calabar bean extract on animals as well as on himself. There were also publications on the Calabar bean in Polish journals authored, among others, by Maryan Barcz, the prowizor of pharmacy [professional degree obtained by pharmacy staff after graduation from university and professional practice].