The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-01-17
LAST FRENCH CENSUS.
NAPOLEON III.
Sensational Developments Regarding His
Condition.
Especial Dunlap Gable to The TimesJ


Especial Dunlap Cable to The Tlmes)
'ARIs. Jan. l6.-Professor German See has
lust created a great sensation here by adding
some very interesting particulars with respect
10 the circumstances under which the cOndi-
ton OF Napoleon III. was kept secret at the
moment OF the declaration Of war with Ger
many in 1870. He says that on being
summoned TO attend the Emperor IN
June he soon diyined the true shape Of
affairs and m the course of his first cOnyer-
sation asked the illustriOus patient 10 give
him some idea of what had been the cOndl-
ton of his health since 1864. The Emperor
replied at once: You have hit the marx; tor
my condition IS due 70 an accident which
occurred when | went 10 visit the tomb OF my
mother in company with the Empress,
Princess Anna Murat and Madame Caretto.
The horses bOlted and the carriage upset, and
from that day have never been the same
man"
Gernain See had expressed a wish 10 meet
in consultation the doctors who were attend
ing Napoleon ILL.,, and AL OF them assembled
In the morning of July st, at the house Of
Dr Conneau. who stated the case 10 his col
leagues and at tho same time gave his candid
opinlon OF it,. WheTeupOn. although
he had hitherto entertained different
views. they finally yielded TO his
arguments and looked az the matter
from his point. Then came the question
whether the operation should be performed
At once or whether IL should be postponed
for "A time Professor See spoke strongly IN
favor of immediate action. but some OF his
medical friends advocated delay. In spite OF
tins adverse opinion See pressed his point
with such effect that he eventually won Dr.
Ricosta over 70 his side.
Dread of the responsibility to be incurred,
however. was so great that his colleagues
asked 10 be allowed 10 wait until the summer
was over and finally a majority voted Tor
the postpOnement OF energetic measures.
The professor was requested 10 draW up
report. which he did and on July 3D. handed
il 10 Dr. COnneau under the impressioni II mad
been signed by all OF his colleagues. On sep
tember 4th, however. II was ascertained that
this had not been done. This fact was learned
under very peculiar circumstances. NJ. jules
Favre had obtained possession Of the docu-
ment and sent his secretary TO inquire what
II all meant. The professor aftrms that all
the particulars of this memorable cOnsulta-
ton were withheld from the Empress by DR..
Conneau and he adds that NAPOLEON Ill. him.
self was not acquainted with the.details until
n wear afterwards All this evidence held ID
establish the fact conclusyely that neither
the EMPEROR the Empress nor their surround
inrs had any idea of the serious character OF
the illness from which NAPOLEON
was suffering. Ii furnishes sufficient
ground for the inference that II the bitter
truth had been known the declaration or war
with Germany would at least have been post
poned. The dread of responsibility for the
surgical case thus led in the opinion OF fro-
fessor See 10 one of the greatest catastrOphes
of modern times, and adds that Conneau was
not one of the medical men who voted Tor or
AGAINST the operation. as he attended SIMPLY
as a witness of the consultation, which was
held al his house.