The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-02-18
pocToRlNG ROYAL PATIENTS.


from Her Physicians Touch.
It was a matter of wonder to many
persons in Paris that DR.. Fauvel, the
great French specialist in throat diseases,
had not been summoned to attend the
king of Spain at the commencement OF
his malady, especially as DIR. Fauvel had
always attended Queen Isabella and her
children during their residence IN Paris
for any troubles of that nature. But
such O proceeding was forbidden by the
strict rules. OF Spanish etiquette, which
pfohibits ono c9 the royal family OF Spain
from being attended by any physician
who is not o Spaniard by birth.
At the time OF. the last illness OF the
young Queen Mercedes there resided in
Madrid q German doctor who was es-
pecialsy famed for his treatment OF ty'
phoid fever, the disease from which the
queen was suffering. He had recently
saved the life Of Mrs. J, r. Lowell when
she was suffering from q violent attack
of that terrible malady. A few days b.
fore Queen Mercedes breathed h,r last
her Spanish doctors sent for their Ger
man colleague and requested him to pre-
scribe for their patient without seeing
her. This he positively refused to do,
SAYING that he must examine into the
physical condition of the queen before
prescribing for her. But that could by
no means be permitted. o
sThen," he said, "let me merely see
her-let me 70 to the door Of her room
and look at her without crossing the
Threshold"
Even that concession was refused.
aThsn, gentlemen" he declared, 4 can
DO nothing. Twill not attempt to pre-
scribe for a patient that I have not even
seem" 't.. -... :...-.:
He.withdrew from the palace, and
few days later the young queen was dead.
But the sacred aws Of Spanish regal
etiquette had been preserved without In
fringenent. =
A similar affair, but with q different
denouement, took place good many
{ years ago in Russia. The late czarina,
the mother Of the present emperor OF
Russia, was shortly after her marriage
. attacked with serious affection OF the
stomach. Up to that time no physician
could approach the bedside of one OF his
lady patients OF the imperial family
nearer than ten feet. The empress grew
worse and became alar1ningly Ill. The
Emperor ler--Isave.orxlerst that .
famous physician called Botkin, OF whose
skill in such cases he had heard, should
at once be sent for. Botkin came, and,
to the horror Of his colleagues, he walked
straight up to the bedside of the empress
and took hold of her wrist to feel her
pulse. He was Instantly hurried from the
room and was loudly demonstrated with
on the impropriety Of his conduct, being
told that his imperial patient was
to be looked at from distance and that
he must not approach her. Botkin list
ened in silence t0 all that the other doc
tors had to say, but when the report OF
the consultation was drawn up he refused
20 aign it. The emperor, who was e1-
ceedingly anxious respecting Botkin's
opinion, sent at once for the report, and
on noticiug.that the name Of the new doc
tor did not appear in it he caused him to
be summoned at once to his presence.
SYour majesty" quoth Botkin, frankly,
u can not pretend to treat patient that
7 am not permitted to examine. The
empress is, learn, IN a very critical sitr1-
alton. I think I can save her, but to do
50 mnst be allowed to go to work in my
own way"
The emperor rose from his chair, took
DR.. Botkin by the arm and marched with
him into the sick-room of the empires and
straight up to her bedside. @There, doc
tor" lie said, examine your patient, and
if any one pretends to interfere with you
remember that you are obeying my COM
mands." The course of treatment pre-
scribed by the great physician proved sue
cessful. The empress was saved and
that particular rule of imperial etiquette
was abrogated forever.-Mrs. Hooper's
Paris Letter. - ~l -" o.
Pleasant Mode OF Travelling.
Stean,hoatincr seems tn have lost it's