The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-03-31
DOCTORED AN EMPRESS.
How q Young Physician Acquired
Royal Patient.
Through His independence He Became
/. the Favorite Medical Attendant of
the Cznrina OF Russia and Gained
Famo and Fortune.

j Among the most gay and popular
members of the Russian colony at
Nice, says the New York Recorder. is
MIR. Botlline, the son of the famous
court physician of that name, who was
1.-The fnvoritc 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-
ifiicted with consumption, was suffering
from disease of the heart. Like many
other invalids, she was forever con-
WINGED 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 igno-
rance on the part of her doctors. For
she was SO devout and so extremely
ipious that she could not be prevailed
upon to permit them to examine her
.chest in the ordinary manner.
Ever on the look out for physician
VINO could diagnose her case, she readi-
ny granted permission to one of her la
jhes-ln-waiting to present her to
young and, at that time, unknown doc
.tor named Botkine. He came and Gre
lated 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 ut 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-
'iplied BotlSinc, with great dignity. ut
is impossible for anyone to diagnose the
case without n thorough examination"
And before the astonishcd empress
could utter a word he began bowling
himself out, and backed himself almost
into the arms of Alexander H.. who
twas just entering.
Having heard from the ladies in the
;ante-chamber that n physician was
with his wife, the car asked chcerily
iof DR. Botkine how he found the empress.
and then perceiving the latters discon-
lcerted look inquired what had hap
ipened. The young doctor replied that
lher 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
mot conscicntiously either diagnose the
case or prescribe for it.
Struck by the young mans indie
pendencc of character and language as
well as by his honesty and common
sense the car dismissed him in the
most kindly manner, with instructions
TO call at the palace the following dav
at noon. DR.. Botkine made his appeal
ance at the appointed time, was re-
celved by the emperor and conducted by
,him to the czarina, who had been in the
meantime prevailed upon by her hus-
oand TO submit to the examination.
The remedy subsequently admins
tered by the young physician afforded
SO much relief to the imperial patient
that thenceforth DIR. 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
iscourt appointment and the favor of the
| imperial family.
His usual fee for n consultation was
one hundred rubles. One day he was
lvisited by Prince Demidoff, who was as
mean and avaricious as he was rich.
Natter having prescribed the necessary
NSTemedies DR.. Botkine noticed that
dPrincc Denidoff had extracted two
fve-ruble notes from his pocketbook
Sand that he was about to tender them
Yin payment of the consultation.
Thanks, no. Nothing at all, my dear
1prince," he exclaimed, in most kindly
Wand affectiOnate manner "You OUGHT
to know that never accept any fee at
Sell from the poor"
HcIiRE OE rlE ronA0on -