New-York tribune., 1902-07-06

ment when grim death is actually knocking Al
the door of the sick chamber.
1t is only by means of the exercise of a vast
amount of tact, discretion, courage and hrmness
that these doctors of personages of the rank OF
King Edward manage to fulfil their duties
toward their charges. We'll as toward the
people interested in the welfare of the latter.
And the combination of these qualities IS sufii-
ciently rare to render those who display them
valued, not merely as medical attendants, but
as warm friends and trusted advisers There
was no one for instance who exercised SO great
an influence over the late Czarina OF Russia as
old Dr. Botkine who when first summoned to
the imperial palace had shown sufficient inde-
pendence to refuse TO diagnose her case-lt was
consumption unless she disrobed sufficiently to
admit of the medical examination OF her chest
and lungs. He was quite young, utterly un-
known at the time, and. by his sturdy honesty
and decision Of character, not only succeeded IN
getting her prudish majesty TO do what all
his more eminent cOnfreres had previously
sought in vain but likewise inspired her with
such confidence and regard that she retained
him for the remainder of her life as hcr phYS!-
clan and best friend
Only those acquainted with the inner history
of the English court during the latter half OF
! the Victorian reign are aware of the immense
Influence which Sir William Jcnner exercised
over the late Queen. 1t was an influence ac-
quired as a doctor but which led to his advice
being sought by his illustrious patient about all
sorts of matters, many of them entirely foreign
to her health. He was wont 10 see her regularly
twice a week wherever she happened to be,
these visits never. however. being recorded IN
The Court Circular" which she herself edited
and Sir James Reid. the resident physician e
her majesty, being her gular medical attend
ant the visits uaid by Sir William JcuEer I,
Victoria must be regarded as having been rather
those Of a friend and adviser than as profession
al calls Sir Francis Laking is tn" high road
to attain similar position with regard To King
| Edward who not only values his science, hut
shows a marked prelilection for his companions
ship.
The baronetcies conferred upon him. as vel
as upon Sir Frederick Trevcs. who performed
the recent operation upon the King. are likely
to be supplemented in the event of The latters
complete recovery by further honors which VII
! probably take the form Of peerases, thus adding
70 the number of medical lords in the uppel
house Of the national legislature. Nor viii any
eault be found with such promotion. The
/ davs when the English press and people united
in abusing King George " for knighting his
/ doctor and for cOnhding to him the duties OF
private secretary, as the only man upon whom
he could absolutely rely long since past
Gone, too are the days when Punch with
ponderous humor, ridiculed the idea Of granting
hereditary honors to medical men by putting
forward a suggestion to the effect that the phy
sician in attendance at those events in Queer
Victoria's family which are described as hap
NV in the palace well in the cottage
should be raised to the peerage under the title
of Lord DeliVeTuS," and not a word of OBJ