The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-03-17
Docforing Royal Patients.


many persons Ia Paris that DIR.
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 DR.. Fauvel
/ had always attended Queen Isabella
aud her children during their resi-
dence in Paris for any troubles OF
that nature. But such proceeding
was forbidden by the strict rules OF
Spanish etiquette, which prohibits
one of the royal family OF Spain
from being attended by any physi-
clan who ia not a Spaniard by birth
| At the time OF the last Illness Of
the young Queen Mercedes there re-
sided in Madrid a German doctor
who was especially famed for his
treatment Of typhoid fever, the dis
ease from which the q Qleen was sui
feriag. He had recently saved the
4 life OF Mrs. J. +. Lowell when she
was suffering from q violent attack
of that terrible malady. a few days
before Queen Mercedes breathed her
last her Spanish doctors sent Tor
their German colleague and request
ed him 10 prescribe for their patient
without seeing her. This ne posi-
lively refused to do, saying that ne
must examine into the physical con-
dItion of the Queen before prescrib-
ing for her. Bat That could by no
means De permitted
Then, he saId. "let me merely
see her-let me 90 to the door OF her
room and lock at her without cross
iug the threshold"
Even that concession was refused.
"Tnen, gentlemen, he declared.
Il can DO nothing. | will not at
tempt tn prescribe for patient that
| have not even seen
He withdrew from the palace, and
few days later the young Queen
was dead. But the sacres laws OF
Spanish regal etiquette had been
preserved without infringement. A
similar affair, but with q different
denouement. took place q good many
wears ago in Russia The late Gar
ina. the mother OF the present En-
poror of Russia, was, shortly after
I her marriage. attacked with seri-
Gus affection of the stomach. Up
to that tue 10 physician could APP
pr9ach the bedside Of one Of MS la
dy patients Of the imperial family
nearer than ten feet The Empress
grew worse aud became alarmingly
III. The Emperor Alexander gave
orders that famous physician call
ed BOtkin. OF whose skill 10 such
cases he had heard, should at once
be sent fur. Botkin came, and, to
the hcrror Of his colleagues, he
walked straight up 10 the bedside OF
the El. press and took hold Of her
wrist - feel her pulse He WAS in-
staatly hurried from the room and
was loudly demonstrated With on
the impropriety Of bis conduct, be-
ing told that his Imperial patient
was to be looked at from distance,
and that he must not approach her,
much less touch her. Bhkin let
ened in silence to all that the other
doctors had to say, but when the re-
port of the consultation was drawn
up he refused to sign IT. The En-
peror. who was exceedingly anxious
respecting BOtkin's opinion, cent at
once for the report, and on noticing
that the name Of the new doctor did
not appear in it he caused him 20 be
summoned At once to his presence.
Your Majesty" quoth Botkin,
frankly. Il cannot pretend TO treat
patient that | ara not permitted tc
examine. The Empress is, | learn,
in q yery critical situation. think |
can save her, but to do SO | must De
allowed to goto work in my own
way
The Emperor rose from his chair,
took DR.. Botkin by the arm and
marched with MIN into the sick
room Of the Empress and straight
10 to her bedside There, doctor,
he said, examine your patient, and
if any one pretends to interfere with
you remember sou are obeying my
Command. The course Of treat
ment prescribed by the great physi-
clan proved sCccess sfuL The Empress
was saved, and that particular rule
Of La perisl etiquette was abrogated
forever.