New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-10-29
BISMARCK'S PHYSICIAN.
GREAT SUCCESS IN GERMANY OF PRO.
FESSOR SCHWENINGER-HIS QUARREL
WITH TIE YOI-Nf, EMPEROR

WITH THE YOUNG EMPEROR.
Promenaders along the Koeniggraetzer Strasse
in Berlin at o'clock in the afternoons few years
ago could see a tall, dark. handsome man open the
great gate OF the park surrounding the German
Chancellors palace and walk at rapid pace across
the corner Of the Thergarten leading to a large
comfortable looking house. Great bushy whiskerS
and mustaches black those Of a southern Ital-
ian and heavy a Lombards, covered the greater
part Of his face Small. brilliant, dark eyes shone
from under projecting eyebrows. His nose was
long and straight his skin bronzed. his figure
was slender and erect a soldiers. As a rule he
was unattended. apparently SO, for the servant
who attempted to follow him was left far behind.
so rapid was the masters pace Half the passers-
by knew him. but few showed any desire to recog-
nze him. although at that time all Germany felt
grateful to his SKILL for he had saved the life Of
the nations greatest 1t Professor
Schweninger, the physician of Bismarck.
The recent illness of the ex-Chanceor has
brought the physician again into prominence. Il
is possible according to current gossip In Germany.
that his independence and devotion to his master
may cost him his place professor Of the Univer.
sity of Berlin. When the Emperor OF German1.ar.
rived Guens to take part in the manoeuvres .
short time ago he surprised to learn that the
Emperor of Austria and the King Of Saxony were
receiving daily reports regarding the condition OF
the creator of Germany's unity. The thought
Cured to him. it is said. that DIR. Schwennger was
a
eminent officer He accordingly ordered his secre-
tary Baron Won I.ucanos, the story goes, to issue
a so-called Cabinet order tantamount a
mand. directing the physician to send him daily
reports as to Bismarcks health The doctor, who
had special cause for gratitude to the young
Emperor, replied that he could not do so without
the permission of his patient. as he stood in a
fdential relation to him. This answer gave rise
to n bitter correspondence between the devoted
rotary and the devoted physician, who declined to
comply for some time with the command Naturally
this Independence of spirit angered His Majesty,
and 1t is said he may deprive the doctor in conse-
quence of his Berlin professorship This. however.
would make little difference TO DR.. Schweninger az
Ne has to-day with three exceptions the larg-
est practice in Germany. and Is already a man OF
great wealth During the CHARACTERISTIC OF Bis
marck. especially. his practice extensive
that he unable to attend to IL properly Hun
dreds of people often waited in vain to him
his office. His treatment OF Bismarck made him
quickly famous and scores and scores OF patriotic
Germans liked t, say that they had the same ply
stefan the Chancellor
Profe-co- ;chweninger began his medical career
in Munich He was little than thirty-two
years old when he first met the Bismarcks. Count
william, the ex-Chancsll)rs second son, had SUI.
fered for years from lropsy. He had become so
large that motion of any kind was painful to him.
He had consulted almost every famous European
DOCTOR and visited dozens OF medical resorts. In
given himself up. when friend told him OF the
young Bavaran physiciaa and advised him to
suit him. The Count Immediately wrote long
letter describing his symptoms, and v ated several
weeks before he received an answer. That answer
promised him health condition that he would
obey implicitly the physciln's orders. The Count
promised 10 do 50, and Schweninger visited him
to begin the treatment For ten months after the
first interview the physician and patient did not
another. their pla rs Of duty being far
apart; but a brisk correspondence was Kept up
between them. At the end of that time they met
in Munich The change in The Counts appearance
was marvellous. He had become himself again.
The doctor then allowed him TO eat his first beef.
steak. That fact 20 lsidered so important thaS
the young Count telegraphed it to his parents.
4 half-year later Schwennger passed through
Berlin on his way to Dantzg. Bismarck, the elder.
was living almost at the point of death. The young
physician was summoned to his bedside. He de-
clared that he could cure him In case ne also
would follow his orders implicitly. After nearing
them the Chancellor declined to comply. ana me
doctor went on his way to DantZlg. AT the sta-
ton, however, telegram was HANDED 10 MN re-
SanS h% the s Bskn in his
After few minutes conversation the Chancei ,
tion TO the palace and resigned himself to his care
For weeks the young physician never ho Sy.
ever e, he Went for short walk in the park Upon
his found his patient r Tn9m from ns na' high
fever He soon learned the cause Inc man
ceo taking adVan hay OF Of bmtteTmEa fsvorts
dish The anger of the physician was poundiess
ana ne made new promises and able
To accompany the doctor TO friedrlchsrnnn anu d,,s
TEN f Hismarck although cold his enemies
and to those for whom he does tot a. pro-
fessor schweninger with professorship at the
University of Berlin by 80 a'hs T schweninger.
when a young man. had been involvea u, s, sure
Munich which 6r0TFns snd the classes
OF Bavaria showed their faith in his honor IN s'sry
they could But there e "a hat he not acted
as he should. The faculties OF the University OF
Berlin shared ms See, n sm n to the old EN-
peror of Germany Bismarck, however, inssted
rayoke the appointment. The doctor suffered many
dsapponments in consequence. When ne maze
leagues most of them declined TO receive him. ana
those who did So refused to present him to ths, y
ferently, and when he appeared in the auditorium I'm
to deliver his first lecture he was greeted oy
crowds of young men, His classes have been popu -
lar ever since his entrance and his lncome from on,
his lectures has been % b re aEes nS.
ana has only maintained it; it is said TO spite.
c cSi p Only few OF them-Professor Won Helm
holtz, Professor Virchow Professor yon preitschke
marck has always defended him and insisted on
The ex"Chanceor has quarreed with his ply
stefan time and again. but has always relented
and took delight. like spoiled child in dsregard-
ing them. But the sufferngs which followed his
indiscretions Invariably brought an apology and .
request to the physician to Resume his place The
Prince declares that the doctor is the only man
he met whose will Is strong stronger
than his own Schweninger Is absolutely loved by
the family and treated member Of IT, When
the Chancellor was In Berlin there was always Q
place reserved for the physician at the table, and
the invitation to take II was standing His
devotion to Bismarck is deep and sincere. He
declares that My Prince must live at least az
long his master, the old Emperor" To help
Bismarck 10 do so he is willing 20 make any
sacrifice.