Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1892-05-11
DOCTORED AN EMPRESS.
How a Young Physician Acquired
Royal Patient
Through His Independence He Became
the Favsrite Medical Attendant of
the Czarina Of Russia and Gained
Fame and Fortune.

Among the most CAV and popular
members Of the Russian COLONY at
Nice, says the New York Recorder, Is
Mr. Botkine, the son of the famous
court physician of that name, who was
the favorite medical attendant OF the
late czarina.
A curious story Is told of the circum.
stances which led to his appointment at
court. The empress, besides being af-
dicted with consumption, was suffering
from disease of the heart Like many
other invalids, she was forever con.
vfnced that the physicians in attendance
failed to understand her case, a state of
things due rather to the extraordinary
modesty OF her majesty than to any ipno-
rance on the part of her doctors. For
she was so devout and so extremely
pious that she could not be prevailed
upon to permit them to examine her
chest in the ordinary manner.
Ever on the look out for a physician
who could diagnose her case, she readi-
ly granted permission to one of her Ia
discriminating to present her to q
young and, at that time, unknown doc
tor named Botkine. He came and Gre
ated most favorable impression upon
her majesty until the moment when he
asked her to remove the bodice of her
dress in order to enable him to examine
her chest. She at once refused to COM
ply, and added that all the physicians
who had attended her until then had
prescribed for her without requiring
any such immodest display.
IF your majesty declines must re.
fuse either to prescribe or advise" re-
piled Botkine, with great dignity. ''It
is impossible for anyone to diagnose the
case without thorough examination"
And before the astonished empress
could utter a word he began bowing
himself out, and backed himself almost
into the arms Of Alexander IL, who
was just entering.
Having heard from the ladies in the
ante-chamber that physician was
with his wife, the czar asked cheerily
OF DIR Botkine how he found the empress,
and then perceiving the latter's discon-
certed look inquired what had hap
pened. The young doctor replied that
her majesty had refused to permit him
or any other physician to examine her
chest in the customary manner, and
that under the circumstances he could
not conscientiously either diagnose the
case or prescribe for 1t.
Struck by the young mans inde-
pendence of character and language as
well as by his honesty and common
sense the czar dismissed him In the
most kindly manner, with instructions
to call at the palace the following day
at noon. DR.. Botkine made his appear
ance at the appointed time, was re-
ceiYed by the emperor and conducted by
him to the czarina, who had been In the
meantime prevailed upon by her hus-
band to submit to the examination.
The remedy subsequently admins
tered by the young physician afforded
80 much relief to the imperial patient
that thenceforth DR.. Botkine's fame and
fortune were made. The empress
would allow no one else to attend her.
he acquired most extraordinary infiu-
ence over her and remained with her
until her death at Nice Subsequently
he set up in private practice at st.
Petersburg, although retaining his
court appointment and the favor of the
imperial family.
His usual fee for a consultation was
one hundred rubles. One day he was
visited by Prince Demidoff, who was "a
mean and avaricious as he was rich.
After having prescribed the necessary
remedies DR.. Botkine noticed that
Prince Demidof had extracted two
dve-ruble notes from his poclzetbook
Ind that he was about to tender them
N payment of the consultation.
Thanks, no. Nothing at all, my dear
prince" he exclaimed, in a most kindly
and affectionate manner. "You ought |
% know that 1 never accept any fee at
al from the poor"