over the Bohemian mountain-sides, proved too stimulating to the still sensitive organ: a violent attack of inflammation supervened. With great difficulty I returned to Paris, and placed myself under the care of the famous oculist Desmarres. This gentleman rendered me the most skilful and generous aid. In the course of a few weeks he restored me to active work again, although the sight of one eye was permanently lost, and the intention of making surgery a speciality necessarily abandoned.
During this trying period of Parisian study, my cousin, Mr. Kenyon Blackwell, a South Staffordshire ironmaster, was endeavouring to promote my strong desire to study in one of our London hospitals. He applied to the able and highly esteemed dean of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, who presented the application to the treasurer. The subject was referred to the Medical Council of the hospital. The result was forwarded to me as follows:—
At a House Committee held on Tuesday, the 14th
day of May, 1850, a letter addressed to the treasurer
from Mr. Paget, communicating to him the request of
Miss Elizabeth Blackwell, a lady well connected in this
country and the United States, to attend as a student in
the wards and other departments of the hospital, was
read, when the treasurer reported that the same had been
referred to the Medical Council, and the opinion of all the
members of the council having been read, and Mr. Paget
having attended and furnished the committee with such
information as was required, it was resolved:
'That in the opinion of this committee Miss Blackwell
