The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-01-22
NUMBER Al.
A Celebrated Russian Physician.

Has the fame of DIR. Botkin reached
America? Dr. Botkin is the chief ply
sician, or at least the favorite one of the
Russian Imperial family, and wherever
the Empress goes. thither goes DIR. Bot
kin. When the Empress came 10 Lon
don, DR.. Botkin came with her. Now
that the Empress is at MentOne, DIR.
Botkin Is also at Mentone. During her
Imperial Majesty's recent stay in Lon
don she never visited the little Russian
Chapel in Welbeck street, where she was
to be seen every Sunday, without being
accompanied by Dr.. BotKin. There il
nothing strange, it may be said, in the
fact that the Empress of Russia, being
in delicate health, should constantly be
attended by physician. But the re-
markable thing in the matter is that DIR.
Botkin is thorough Russian, and that
before his time the medical attendants Of
the Emperor and Empress were always
foreigners, and almost invariably Ger
mans. A few years ago, however His
Majesty resolved 10 consult a number Of
the best physicians in Russian with re-
gard to the health of the Empress, who
~uffers from chronic attacks Of asthma,
hrqnchitis, or some similar pulmonary
c6APlaint. A German physician in high
favor at court, drew up list Of eminent
medical men, and submitted it to the
Emperor, who observed that it did not
include a single Russian name. Aiexan-
der H., more patriotic than many of his
predecessors, asked whether in all his
dominions not one native physician Of
high merit was to be found, and, by way
Of concession to the prejudices of the
Gar, the name of Botkin was added to
the others. Now Botkin is a Russian OF
the Russians Born in Moscow the son
of a Moscow merchant, educated at
the Moscow University, 7she owes
everything to Russia. For that
reason the Emperor determined to give
hIm a chance, and without delay com
manded him to visit the Empress, and
pronounce an opinion on her malady.
DIR. Botkin wished, in the first place, to
auscultate his illustrious patient. But
when he begged Her Majesty to remove
fur jacket, which in these too frequent
interviews with her physicians she had
habitually worn, he was met by stern
Imperial stare. Botkin bowed, retired,
and Fastening to the Emperor, informed
him of his inability to proceed with the
case unless he was allowed to treat the
Empress as he would treat any other wo-
man. The Emperor at once assented,
TO Russian doctors view, and learned, to
his astonishment, that the court physi-
clans who had hitherto attended her Ma
jesty-more courtly than scientifc-had
auscultated her, or pretended TO auscul-
tate her, with her jacket onl Indeed, il
was not until the Emperor Alexander
had urged upon his wife the necessity OF
her remembering that she also was wo-
man with lungs, larynx and bronchial
tubes like other women, that she consent
ed to uncover her chest and throat. The
end Of it was that Botkin, man both OF
character and of. skill, was found TO un
derstand the Empress malady better
than any one, and now not only attends
her at St. Petersburg; bat accompanie,
her ON her travels. and is with her every
where. Indeed, the health Of the whole
Jmderial family may be said TO be in
DIR. Botkin's hands; and though he il
now at Mentone with the Empress, he
would soon be at ST. Pesersburg with the
Emperor were his Majesty to be attack
ed with serious illness London Let