The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-07
CAR IN GOOD HEALTH
INTERVIEW WITH HIS PHYSICIAN
REFUTEs RECENT REPORTS.
sIanderous Reports OF Various Kinds
Denfed-Cxar and Czarina Greatly
Interested I'm Reforms.


VIENNA, Nov. 9.-Dr. Leo Berthenson,
honorary body physician the Car and
Czarina, received your correspondent in
the audience room of the medical faculty.
Vienna University. and made the following
statement in the presence Of two eminent
professors of that institution. DR.. Berthen-
son talked freely and without restraint
The false statements regarding his distin-
guished clients health, so industriously
circulated by political propagandists. did
not seem TO worry him in the least. He
refuted them merely as an act of courtesy
20 his caller. not because he thought they
required extended notice
"All these absurd inventions are con-
cocted in England. just as the fakes re-
garding Chinese atrocities against the men,
women and children besieged in the Picking
foreigners quarters were floated by a Brit
ish liar. Do you remember his moving pic
ture: The Gar breaking into tears when
he learned that his good ambassador had
been fried In oil by the Boxers? Well. the
same man. or a near relative of his. is fill
ing the papers nowadays with another kind
OF falsehood.
There is not word Of truth in the
stories published. The Car is no more a
victim Of moods and fears than you L.
He Is no more controlled by clairvoyants,
or the like, than your own strenuous Presi-
dent, and he has no more thought of abdi-
eating than Kaiser or Pope.
IT never heard of these matters until
reached Vienna and read the London pa
pers. In Russia no one knows anything
about these supposed momentous events
no one. whether he belong to court or peo-
pie. But there Is nothing strange about
that. II would be manifestly absurd to
call a man dead who may be seen walking
the streets morning. noon night.
To-day the Car is absolutely sound"
continued Dr. Berthenson. ''If he was not
i would neither have asked for a furlough
nor would have same been granted.
THE Car has been in good health ever
since he recovered from typhus, which at
tackled him last year in the Crimea.
Typhus is an ugly customer at best. but his
Majesty was only mildly affected thank
heaven. For that reason there were no
evil consequences.
1.-THE Car is not big man; he is not
putting on flesh as yet; his complexion is
naturally pale. but such things are not
necessarily indications OF Ill health. With
him they are constitutional. II his waist
measure suddenly increased and his face
became flushed then there might be just
cause for doctors to investigate. AS 1t is.
his Majesty gives no trouble whatever.
is A HARD WORKER.
"The Car can stand a lot OF fatigue
Often, after six or eight hours on horse
back. he astonishes everybody at dinner
by his IiveIiness. His capacity for work,
too. shows him to be healthy man. He is
very conscientious. and If pressing work is
on hand insists upon finishing 1t before go
ing to bed.
But. though he takes his duties ruler
most seriously. his physicians have never
yet felt called upon to restrain him. AS TO
the foolish report that he desires to abdi-
cate, II can only have been born of a
cracked brain. Certainly no one knowing
his Majesty would credit the statement,
unless they heard 1t from Nicholas's own
lips Abdicate, indeed-could a monarch
imbued with farreaching ideas for his peo-
pies happiness and for the peace of the
world as the Car possibly conceive such
a notion after a reign of few years? The
Emperor's internal. as well his external.
policy, has been crowned by singular sue
cess. Ask yourself IL 1t is not absurd to
believe that a successful man would re-
tire before his great plans have matured.
las to the Cars alleged mental de-
preston because Of the lack of male
heir. that story, too. Is bold fabrication.
There Is not happier couple in the world
than the Car and Czarina. Nicholas makes
a goddess of the noble woman whom he
chose for wife and is as fond OF his little
girls as II they were boys. Indeed, If they
were boys the imperial household could not
be happier.
ITO his fireside. his wife, his children
the Car devotes every minute OF the day
that he can spare from the administration
OF affairs OF state, and her Majesty is sell
dom or never far away from his work.
room. II business OF state keeps him VI
at night the Empress is usually found near
the imperial desk. and If the work prom
ises to be long their Majesties may be seen
stealing into the apartment where the lit.
tie grand duchesses sleep to look at their
little ones every little while.
II can scarcely bring myself to talk or
the condition of the Czarina. Why, her
Majesty never gave US a moment of un.
.easiness since she came into the country
The Empress enjoys the good constitution
of the well-bred German woman and is as
robust and alert as her late grandmother
Queen Victoria, was in her young days.
las to that male heir, about whom GER
tain London papers are so much concerned
why. the Gar and his wife are young peo-
pie and have not given up hope that sor
will be born to them There is no reason
why their union should not be blessed with
q son by and by-none whatever, physically
or medically 1 say this upon my
honor as a physician and man. II 1 could
not give this assurance 1 would have re-
Trained from mentioning this delicate mat
ter.
CARE OF THE WORKING CLASSES.
but while the Gar has little use fol
his physicians, either for himself or hi.
family" continued DIR. Berthenson, "he re
quires constantly to report to him or
matters concerning the public health. To
day Russia marches at the head of the pro
cession as far as sanitary care for tn,
working classes is concerned, and thi:
proud achievement is directly due to the
Cars initiative. The Car and Czarina
after frequent consultations with theil
physicians, framed the law compelling EN-
ployers 10 take the greatest care of thei
workmen's health. The latter must hav,
certain amount OF breathing space il
the factory and i'm the mines and praa