The St. Johns herald., 1893-06-08
DoCTORED AN EMPRESS.
How a Young Physician Acquired
 a Eoyel Patient.
Through His Independence Hc Became the Favoriie Medical Attendant of the Czarina Of Rrssia and Gained
 Fame and Fortune.

Among the most gay and popular members of the Russian colony at Nice, says the New York Recorder, is MT. 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- hicted with consumption. was suffering from disease of the heart. Like many other invalids, she was forever con- vinced 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 devont 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 physician who could diagnose her case, she readi- ly granted permission to one of her la dies-in-waiting to present her to a young and, at that time, unknown doc tor named Botkine. He came and ere ated a 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 I must re- fuse either to prescribe or advise" re- piled Botkine, with great dignity. Ut is impossible for anyone to diagnose the case without a thorough examination. '" And before the astonished empress could utter a word he began lowing himself out, and backed himself almost into the arms of Alexander H., who was just entering.
 Having heard from the ladies in the ante-chamber that a physician was with his wife, the czar asked cheerily of Dr 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 that under the circumstances he could not conscientiously either diagnose the case or prescribe for it.
 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 atnoon. Dr. Botkine made his appear ance at the appointed time, was re- ceived 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 so 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 a most extraordinary influ- 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 consultation was one hundred rubles. One day he was visited by Prince Demidoff, who was as mean and avaricious as he was rich. After having prescribed the necessary remedies Dr. Botkine noticed that Prince Demidoff had extracted two five-ruble notes from his pocketboolk and that he was about to tender them in payment of the consultation. Thanks, no. Nothing at all, my dear prince" he exclaimed, in most kindly and affectionate manner. "You ought to know that never accept any fee at