New-York tribune., 1901-10-12
THE AMEER'S PHYSICIAN.
A WOMAN DOCTORS EXPERIENCES OF
SEVERAL YEARS IN CABUL.

The death of the terrible Ameer' of Afghanistan
recalls the experiences OF Miss Lilias Hamilton.
the doctor who passed several years In Cabul as
his medical adviser. She practising in Cal
cutta when the Ameer became curious to and
talk with English woman doctor. and sent to
invite her to visit his capital. seemed
what hazardous experiment but it was likely 10
prove interesting Miss Hamilton consented TO
She soon reached a friendly footing with her royal
entertainer who graciously pleased to be
amused by her English independence.
"Ah.' said the monarch one day when he was
taking her into of his harems, you treat me
like dog" BY which the Ameer merely meant
that his medical attendant not I'm the habit of
crouching and quailing in his presence. Just fol-
low me, and you will how women treat
me" When Miss Hamilton asked him how many
wives or slaves he had he replied How many?
God knows
Her presence in the capital of such country
was viewed with suspicion and jealousy by many
eyes. The Sultana openly said. You are a
butcher. not a doctor" And all because of her
skill with the knife and the bcnesaw She thought
1t wise never a patient in harems. II any of
the women wished TO consult her they came out.
Neither did she food prepared in the
harems In this she followed the example set by
the Ameer, who always insisted, when DR.. HAM
ilton had prepared broth other invalid food dur
ing mis- occasional illnesses. that she should taste
them first herself in his presence, At all other
times the court faster fulfilled that duty.
Although the kindest Of hosts after his fashion,
the Ameer eXacting patient. On one occa-
sion, after attending him for number OF hours
the doctor went to her to rest. She was
awakened almost Immediately by a page, with a
request go the Ameer Immediately. Hurry
ing to him, she asked II he might have pep
permint
Miss Hamilton after her return 70 England gave
interesting account of her experiences with the
Ameer, who talked freely with her upon all man
Of subjects She spoke of him having an in
qurfng mind, with a power OF corrosive criticism
which it not wise to combat too openly. There
was little love lost between him and the white
races. of whatever nationality they might be.
Here I am he said on occason-they al
tains and surrounded by foes. l am just Ike a
poor goat shut up in a with several mouths to
| it. II l go out side wolf is ready to de-
YOUR II go another it Is lion. On
| another. with a knife is ready to cut my
throat"
The Ameer was when he chose most agreeable
| refined and courteous He a master OF the
art OF fattery. and wasted much of II upon Miss
| Hamilton.
| The Indifference TO human life and suffering. IN
| nate in ruler and subjects alike. sometimes made
/ She had some very bad moments, indeed, and no'
seldom ventUred to argue with the terrible Anleer
| and even to intervene behalf of unfortunate
| wrongdoers. But he was nearly always ready Il
| argue the point
Miss Hamilton was not allowed to have any Eng
lish books papers. but lived luXuriously In
large house of her own. She had an English nurse
| with her-"hakims"-toc compound native herb rem
GUS patients in order. she had large. though
| unproftable, practice.