FEMALE PHYSICIANS.
rrO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPEcrAr0n.1
Sm,—As it is very important to female physicians that the cre- dentials of every woman assuming their office shall be clearly known and thoroughly proved, I think it right to forward to you the enclosed statement, made by order of the Surgeon-General of the United States' Army, respecting the alleged services of Mary E. Walker, whose proceedings in London will be most deplored by those who most earnestly desire to see medicine recognized as a profession for women :—
" Surgeon-General's Office, Washington City, Jan. 2, 1867.
"In the winter of 1863 Mary E. Walker was furnished with trans- portation to Louisville, Kentucky, to report to Assistant-Surgeon- General Wood, who stated he could give her employment as a nurse. She was sent by him to Medical Director Perth, who ordered an exami- nation as to her professional qualifications, and reported her incom- petent for any higher position than female nurse. She was subsequently put on duty with the wounded, taken prisoner, and carried to Richmond, and released, receiving the pay of a contract physician from the time of her capture until her release.
"By order of the Surgeon-General,
"C. H. CRANE, Assistant-Surgeon-General, United States' Army."
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