Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-09-03

Kaiserin's physician Joined US, and
there were several maids-very su-
perior young women-in attendance
upon their royal mistress.
After I had examined the Empress
and had given my advice, the physi-
clan explained to me in a low voice
that it was necessary to be cautious
and not do much, as he was afraid
of her physical condition.
Anything you do for her Maj
esty," he explained, would require
giving an anaesthetic. She is not
in, condition to stand pain without.
The only anaesthetic her Majesty
will take is chloroform. I've ad-
ministered it to her eleven times and
know just what it means. I'm
afraid of her heart at this time. In
deed, just as soon as 1 can get her
into condition 1 want her to go to
Nauheim for the cure"
His alarming words caused quite
a furry among the maids and they
crowded around the Empress and
begged her to have nothing done
that day, but to endure her suffer-
ing little longer in the hope that
relief would come without the neces-
sity of an operation at that time
Their pleadings prevailed upon the
patient to postpone the treatment.
This made the Kaiser very angry,
and he walked up and down the
room impatiently.
Here" he said, "Tve got DR..
Davis to come on a Sunday after
noon, and you want to be in shape
for the ball on Tuesday, and now
won't tyfh dAnnf
That's the way with the women!"
Then he turned to me and said:
well, Davis, I'm sorry to have
spoiled your day." And he dashed
out of the room, apparently much
provoked. I felt I had almost wit
messed a family quarrel, but the in
cident indicated to me that what
ever hopes the Kaiser might enter
tain of one day dominating the
world, he had not yet acquired un-
disputed dominion in HIS own house
hold!
I did not see the Kaiserin again
for nearly a year, when she came
to my office with a lady-in- waiting.
She arrived in her own car. It's
approach was heralded by the i'm
perial "Tadi-Tada" without the con-
Guiding "TaTa," which latter was
reserved exclusively for the Kaiser,
and not even the Kaiserin was al
lowed to use. The Kaiser's "Tadi-
Tada-Ta-T was the subject of much
sarcasm among the proletariat, who
satirically put it to the words. Gel
erie-Salat-TaTa," an illusion to the
lE'~Et1as of the royal table which
contrasted most unfavorably with
the simple meals to which they were
accustomed; while the Socialists
showed their sentiments very plainly
by improvising the wordd: "Von I'm
sern Geld-TaTa." referring to the
royal immunity from taxation, which
was one of their bitterest pills.
1t was not long after I had known
the Kaiserin before she made clear
to me that she possessed a most die
tatorial manner. which was quite
in contrast with that of the Kaiser,
at least when he was in my office.
She objected strenuously to re-
moving her hat-and she usually
wore a large one with a veil-but
finally yielded when I explained that
could not accomplish my work sat
isfactorily unless she did SO. When
placed cotton-rolls in her mouth.
she insisted that as she did not like
the sensation of the cotton against
her lips or tongue, I would have to
encase the cotton in rubber.
told her politely but firmly that
my work would be done in my own
way, and she finally aequiesced, add
ing: well, If you make such
point of it, doctor. I suppose I shall
have to let you have your way"
Evidently this incident was re-
peated in the royal family, for some
few weeks later the Kaiserin's
youngest son, Prince Joachim, called
to see me professionally. and smil-
ingly remarked: 'T hear you don't
think very much of the cotton rolls
with rubber around them which the
Empress invented and which we
named "The Imperial Cotton Roll"
to which I promptly agreed. There
were a number OF other incidents
from time to time which revealed to
me that whatever said or did while
treating the various members Of the
royal family was talked of among
them. very often the most trivial re-
marks made to one member of the
family being referred to by another
later on.
From that time on the Kaiserin
came to me more or less regularly.
Her lackey usually foIioHed her
into the house carrying an artistic
lunchbox or bag containing sand
wiches and bouillon, of which the
Empress rartook in my office. The
Princess Victoria Louise. the Kai-
ser's only daughter. may mention.
usually came similarly provided. No
German ever lets anything inter-
fere with his second breakfast.
The Empress never spoke on po-
litical subjects. She was not par
ticuIarIy brilliant and avidarced
some reluctance to air her views on