The question of whether women could listen to lectures at universities and become doctors began to seriously concern the public in the 60s of the 19th century, and there was no consensus on this matter. However, in 1870, permission was received to give public lectures for women at the University of St. Petersburg, and on November 2, 1872, in St. Petersburg at the in St. Petersburg at the Medical-Surgical Academy “Special Women’s Courses for Learned Midwives/Особые женские курсы для ученых акушерок” were established “as an experiment/в виде опыта.” Women at least 20 years old who had a secondary education or a diploma as a home teacher were allowed to study. The teachers here were mainly professors of the Military Medical Academy. After four years of successful existence, the courses, according to the Highest command of March 4, 1876, were transformed into the Higher Women's Medical Courses with a five-year training period and independence from the Medical-Surgical Academy. Classes were transferred to the women's and children's departments of the Nikolaev Military Hospital. Upon completion of training, students could carry out “obstetric, women’s practice and children’s practice.” The “Temporary Regulations on the Higher Women’s Medical Courses at the Nikolaev Military Land Hospital” were developed and approved, where they were now located and where they were provided with classrooms, laboratories and other premises. In this regard, trainees were given access to practice in some medical institutions in St. Petersburg (Obukhovskaya and Kamenkinskaya hospitals, Mariinsky obstetrics institution, Prince of Oldenburg children's hospital, etc.). Some specifically women's subjects (obstetrics, women's childhood diseases) were taught more widely. Those who completed the full course and successfully passed the exams were awarded so-called “Woman Doctor” badge. Badge of distinction for the right to independent practice /Нагрудный знак отличия на право самостоятельной практики/ was established on June 14, 1880. The badge is a silver wreath of oak leaves, in the upper part it is crowned with a silver double-headed eagle under the imperial crown. Below is a golden “Hippocratic” cup and two golden snakes. In the center are applied stylized gold letters: “ZH/Ж” and “V/В” (Woman-Doctor/Женщина-врач).
With the beginning of the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878. 25 course participants voluntarily went to the theater of military operations, where they showed their best side, selflessly providing assistance to the wounded and sick in hospitals. Despite the high appreciation of the activities of students of the Higher Women's Medical Courses in combat situations by the military command, the sympathy of zemstvo organizations, large contributions from philanthropists and support from artists and writers, on August 5, 1882, Emperor Alexander III signed a Decree on their closure. Changes in the internal policy of the state also affected women's medical education. It received a new round of development in 1897 with the opening of the Women's Medical Institute, the first permanent higher educational institution in Russia and Europe, which provided women with the opportunity to receive higher medical education.
With the beginning of the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878. 25 course participants voluntarily went to the theater of military operations, where they showed their best side, selflessly providing assistance to the wounded and sick in hospitals. Despite the high appreciation of the activities of students of the Higher Women's Medical Courses in combat situations by the military command, the sympathy of zemstvo organizations, large contributions from philanthropists and support from artists and writers, on August 5, 1882, Emperor Alexander III signed a Decree on their closure. Changes in the internal policy of the state also affected women's medical education. It received a new round of development in 1897 with the opening of the Women's Medical Institute, the first permanent higher educational institution in Russia and Europe, which provided women with the opportunity to receive higher medical education.
Original regulation.
61090. June 14. HIGHEST COMMAND, ANNOUNCEED BY THE MINISTER OF MILITARY (Order to the Military Department, June 23, 1880, No. 183). - On the assignment to female persons who have completed their studies at women's medical courses in St. Petersburg Nikolaev Military Hospital, breast badge of distinction for the right to independent practice.
THE EMPEROR has deigned to command: female persons who have completed their studies at the women's medical courses at the St. Petersburg Nicholas Military Hospital should be awarded a badge of distinction for the right to independent practice, according to the attached description and drawing.
(For description and drawing, see the end of the Volume.)
61090. Июня 14. ВЫСОЧАЙШЕЕ ПОВЕЛЬНІЕ, ОБЪЯВЛЕННОЕ ВОЕННЫМЪ МИНИСТРОМЪ (Прик. по военн. въд. 1880 г. Іюня 23, № 183).-О присвоеніи лицамъ женскаго пола, кончившимъ ученіе на женскихъ врачебныхъ курсахъ при Петербургскомъ Николаевскомъ Военномъ Госпитали, нагруднаго знака отличія на право самостоятельной практики.
ГОСУДАРЬ ИМПЕРАТОРЪ Высочайше повелѣть соизволилъ: лицамъ женскаго пола, кончившимъ ученіе на женскихъ врачебныхъ курсахъ при Петербургскомъ Николаевскомъ Военномъ Госпиталѣ, присвоить нагрудный знакъ отличія на право самостоятельной практики, согласно прилагаемымъ описанію и рисунку.
(Описаніе и рисунокъ см. въ концѣ Тома.)
THE EMPEROR has deigned to command: female persons who have completed their studies at the women's medical courses at the St. Petersburg Nicholas Military Hospital should be awarded a badge of distinction for the right to independent practice, according to the attached description and drawing.
(For description and drawing, see the end of the Volume.)
61090. Июня 14. ВЫСОЧАЙШЕЕ ПОВЕЛЬНІЕ, ОБЪЯВЛЕННОЕ ВОЕННЫМЪ МИНИСТРОМЪ (Прик. по военн. въд. 1880 г. Іюня 23, № 183).-О присвоеніи лицамъ женскаго пола, кончившимъ ученіе на женскихъ врачебныхъ курсахъ при Петербургскомъ Николаевскомъ Военномъ Госпитали, нагруднаго знака отличія на право самостоятельной практики.
ГОСУДАРЬ ИМПЕРАТОРЪ Высочайше повелѣть соизволилъ: лицамъ женскаго пола, кончившимъ ученіе на женскихъ врачебныхъ курсахъ при Петербургскомъ Николаевскомъ Военномъ Госпиталѣ, присвоить нагрудный знакъ отличія на право самостоятельной практики, согласно прилагаемымъ описанію и рисунку.
(Описаніе и рисунокъ см. въ концѣ Тома.)
Drawing.