The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-06
iii HEALTH OF THE POPE.
Interesting Particulars Learned from
His Attending Physician.

Rome Letter, in British Medical Journal.
The health Of Pope Leo XIII is a matter
OF 80 much interest to Europe at the present
time that l have sought from HIS physician,
DR.. Lapponi, some further particulars. The
venerable Pontiff has very graciously given
cate to me the following facts. This per-
mission | esteem the more highly as it is
the first time Leo XIII has acceded to such
a request. Moreover, the facts themselves
are of so much medical. or perhaps / ought
be remembered that the Pope viii complete
his eighty-ifth year next March, that
having his permission, I need make no
The Pope's health at the present time is
perfect, and he has not suffered the least
condition is, no doubt. due largely. not
alone to his possessing a sound constitution.
6 be b also led % me Tsra peg4lar and md abs; abste mic :. liz
working life he has enjoyed very good
health, with the exception of a period when
ing which he suffered from typhoid fever.
The illustrious Pontiff was then residing
at Benevento, and he has told DIR. Lapponi
cold baths administered by DIR. yulpe, who
ATTENDED him during his illness. This is
by this means; If so, It is a very interesting
fact in the history Of medicine.
DR.. Lapponi informs me that all the or
gans of the body are perfectly healthy and
perform their functions in a normal manner.
There are no perceptible indications of a
theroma of the artefies, and there is only
very slight ARGUS sehilis in the upper por-
tons of the cornea. The pulse is regular
with no iHtermfssion, sixty-eight to seventy
pulsations per minute. The eyesight is good,
slightly presbyopic, but he can read a news
ing is very good. The Pope has for a great
many years eaten very moderately and has
been very abstemious in the use of stinu-
lants. The following is his daily regimen.
Breakfast, a cup of coffee with milk and a
little bread; dinner, soup, boiled meat or
and a small winegiassful Of Bordeaux vine:
supper, soup and bread, and the same
takes no other stimulant but claret and es-
chews the heavier wines. On occasions he
takes some soup between meals. His diges-
food he eats is very small. so much so that
DIR. Lapponi said that he could eat as much
at one meal as the Pope does in a week.
BY the advice of the doctor he rarely abb
stains, although he is very DESTROYS of doing
so; On these occasions he eats sole or cod
fish. He takes daily exercise in the Vatican
gardens when the weather permits, and.
when unsuitable, in his apartments. AL
much more physical strength than might be
med. He is accustomed to little sleep,
from saa,t three e. 70 2 f flour hours nsn st 2 might sin.
He retires to bed very late and gets
/ Ip very early. The chief indication Of his
age is the muscular trembling from which
His mind Is very lucid and his memory.
f9 nse nr; t tmolPo pre eipd'o' For vf hiy
| speeches he makes very few notes, a word
here and there as headings for the chief
| ulVlSlOHS u Ills utSNOdA SCS. <N - -
those persons who have had the privilege
| of hearing the illustrious Pontif, he speaks
in most elegant diction. On occasions he
has repeated to DIR. Lapponi the whole Of
0 Yorker aa h toii Hnses as rule about 4 nfteen hours
a day. He holds receptions from Q a. m.
to 2 D. m, besides the other various duties
| that he himself, who is a young, very ac-
tive, and. / must add. a very courteous
genfIeman. could not dream of getting
| through the daily work OF the Pope" Leo
| XIII is of a nervous temperament; he has
| keen powers of perception. and appears to
| grasp intuitively the fundamental facts Of
| questions with which he has not had pre-
| vious acquaintance. 1t may interest some
nersons to know that he takes SNUFF largely.
| Finally. DIR. Lapponi gave 1t as his opinion
that. Judging from the present condition
| Of the health of the venerable Pontiff. there
is no reason why he should not live for
many years.