New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-23
ROYAL HYPOCHONDRT4CS.
THE CROWN PRINCESS OF sWEDEN's M
AGINARY CONTEMPORARIES MOTHER
IN-LAW. TIE QUEEN. HAS THE
SAME TROUBLE.

Much has been heard about the delicate state OF
health OF the Crown Princess Of Sweden. who for
three years has been reported in the last stage OF
consumption. 1t has even been proclaimed at the
beginning OF each winter that she could not posi-
bly, live through H. 1t is somewhat startling there
fore to learn that a consultation OF the most en-
inent German. Swedish and French specialists, as
sembled for the purpose Mt Baden-Baden, has re-
suited in n definite decision that there Ia nothing on
earth the matter with the Princess save n nervous
ailment Of hypochondriac character almost iden-
teal with that from which her mother-ln-law. the
Queen Of Sweden. Is suffering. These great medi-
cal authorities have at length decided that her
throat and her lungs in an absolutely healthy
condition.: that the physicians who have beer hu-
moring her firm convictions that she was dying OF
tuberculosis and treating her for that ament have
been cupable OF preferrng TO court the favor OF
their royal patient rather than 10 give an honest
diagnosis and that there was no reason whatsoever
for her passing her winters in a hot climate such
that of Cairo, Biskra In Alglers. and In Sicily,
as she has hitherto been in the habit OF doing.
All this must be exceedingly Notifying to the
relatives Of the Princess. all the more when they
recall 10 mind the fuss made about her especially
when travelling The young lady has Insisted on
being conveyed TO and from her railway carriage
In a litter, apparently In almost unconscious
condition. 1t remains to he seen what the worthy
Swedes will say 10 this. They have hitherto been
content TO dispense with the Princesss presence at
Of her lungs did not admit of her living there
Married in 1851 she has scarcely spent more than
eight months IN Sweden In many years. and
inasmuch as the Queen. like herself. imaglnes her
self TO be dying the Swedish court has remained
10 all intents and purposes without any lady Mt its
head the only other one OF King Oscars sons who
is married being his second who contracted n NOR
ganatic alliance. The worst feature Of the whole
affair IS that the Crown Princess has been content
live almost permanently apart from her three
little boys the eldest twelve and the youngest six
years old who stay permanently with their father
the Crown Prince In Sweden. among the people
over whom the eldest of them is eventually reign
The funny point in all this Is that the Swedes
have undergone almost identicaly the expert
ence with their Queen. who has been a confirmed
hypochondriac for years and has imagined herself
into a state OF debility from which she will probably
recover. For years she consulted the leading
specialists of Europe. but only two. DR.. Metzgar
of Amsterdam and Wlesbaden. and Dr. Frederichs
malady OF purely imaginary character and
that II she suffering from anything IL was
complaisant physicians. who had found II worth
their while to humor her belief that she
sumptive.
There are OF course. many hypochondriacs of this
kind-people who are convinced that they suf-
fering from every maladv under the sun-and
OF the most erninen. and famous specialists IN dis
eases Of the chcs: in London openly confessed on
ladies' thronging his waiting room were afflicted
with purely imaginary complaints. 1T would not
they would merely to some other physician ana
complain everywhere OF me incapable Of under
standing their case
1t Is all the more astonishing that the Crown
Princess Of sweden should have turned out thus
as She has received most thorough and sensible
Baden only daughter OF old Emperor William be-
ing one OF the most shrcwd. unaffected and kind
popular.