Have you ever heard of Agnodice – a true pioneer for women in medicine? She lived in 4th Century BCE Athens, and was the first female physician to gain an official practice.
Determined to become a physician, Agnodice cut her hair short and dressed like a man in order to attend medical school. Still dressing as a man, she treated the women of Athens, until one patient – undergoing an extremely painful labour – called for a female aid. Agnodice revealed herself as a woman and the patient allowed her to tend the bed-side. Hereafter, she symbolized a new-found trust and security in the medical profession, and her popularity among the women of Athens grew rapidly.
Soon however, the male physicians grew jealous of her success, and accused Agnodice (as a man) of seducing her patients (a crime punishable by death). Brought before the court of Athens, Agnodice vindicated herself by revealing her true identity, but was further condemned for her dishonesty. Before the judges were able to pass judgement, a group of women arrived to defend her skill as a physician – and Agnodice was acquitted.
Hyginus claims that Athenian law was then changed so that freeborn women could study medicine.
This story, variously argued to be an historical account, a novella, or a myth, had enormous influence in the history of medicine from the Renaissance onwards, being used as a precedent both for a female monopoly on midwifery and for women doctors.
Reference:http://exhibits.hsl.virginia.edu/antiqua/women/
Image via Wikipedia Commons
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