Women Physicians

  
Dr. Sarah A. Colby 

Dr. SARAH A. COLBY was born in Sanbornton, N.H., May 31, 1824. Her parents were Ebenezer and Sally Colby, who had eight children, of whom only two survived; and both of these are women physicians. The intelligent father has passed on, the excellent mother still lives at the advanced age of eighty-four, her mind as active and her heart as kind as ever. Both their daughters were educated at the Sanbornton Academy. 

Sarah devoted some time to teaching, meanwhile cherishing a desire, early felt, for the study of medicine, which grew with each passing year. She was sometimes interrupted in her studies by ill health, which gave her during treatment an opportunity of observing that an absolute need exists for noble Christian women with strong judgment and large scientific attainment to occupy the professional field as earnest colaborers with their brothers for the benefit of suffering humanity, and especially for the help of their own sex. 
  

I really believe that the materialism of the present age does more to develop disease, and retain it, than every thing else combined. Understanding that the soul, which is substance, should control the body, which is matter, would do much toward recovering from bodily ills, and be in harmony with the teachings of Christ, and thus bring the soul into spiritual contact with the only fountain of life. ' The prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up' (Jas. v. 15). To one who comprehends the true philosophy of prayer, this will not seem unreasonable. The agitation of the woman question has given us, in many colleges of learning, co-education of the sexes, which has advanced other things. In the earlier years of my professional life, it was a hard matter to find a man physician who was willing to meet a woman physician on any terms for consultation; while during the last five years it has not been an unfrequent occurrence for physicians to send their wives and daughters to me for treatment; and, when the cases were discharged cured, I was generously awarded high praise. I have also been called to meet in consultation in Boston and other New England cities some of the most scientific men physicians of the age, from whom I received every courtesy that could be tendered to a professional associate.

"I have devoted my life since 1859 to this great cause of removing the sufferings of humanity, and therein have been a constant recipient of warm affection and deep gratitude. The first ten years were given to family practice, and the remaining ones to office practice, except in cases of special favor. I feel that my life-work is still largely in the future."

"My sister, Mrs. ESTHER W. TAYLOR, M.D., was born two years later than myself, in the same town ; education, &c., much the same. In early life she married N. F. Taylor, Esq., of Cambridgeport, Mass. They have one child, a daughter, now Mrs. George Ruston of Freeport, Ill.  When Mrs. Taylor decided to study medicine, she was nobly seconded in her efforts by her husband and daughter. She graduated from the Homoeopathic Medical College of Chicago, Feb. 22, 1872. In 1875 she became a member of the American Institute of Homoeopathy and the Homoeopathic State Medical Society of Illinois. She has a large and successful practice in Freeport, Ill."

Dr. Colby's pleasant office, (17 Hanson Street, Boston) as the writer is well aware, is often thronged with patients; and her success in cases that have come under my personal observation have merited the praise and gratitude expressed, as well as the pecuniary recompense which each has a right to desire. Her attention and skill have gained the lucrative practice which such a "beloved physician" deserves.