New-York tribune., 1921-08-05
American Doctors Praised

koNE. Aug. 4 (By The Associated
FresS(.-The American doctors who
attended Enrico Caruso in New York
during his critical illness last winter
did all that was humanity possible
under the conditions of the patient;
they could not do more"
This opinion was given to-day bv Dr.
Rataele Bastianelli. reputed to be the
greatest surgeon in Italy. who, with
his brother Giuseppe, attended the
famous singer when he suffered the re-
lapse last week which led to his death
Regarding Caruso's illness in Amer
let. DR.. Bastianelli said; at was un-
doubtedly putrid empyema, which i'm
mediately put the patient in such a
grave condition that it must be con-
Sidered miracle that the American
doctors succeeded in saving his life
Tells of Illness
Recounting the last few days OF
Caruso's illness, the famous surgeon
said:
~. with my brother Giuseppe. visited
Caruso professionally on July , at
Corrento- After 4 careful examina-
ton we both agreed that the present
and past suffering of the great tenor
was derived from subrenal abscess,
probably in the left kidney.
I'VE Immediately decided that Caruso
should be taken TO Rome and submit
ted to an N-ray examination in order
to complete our diagnosis, and also as a
guide for tho operation which was to
have been executed imme ediately after
AT that time Caruso's condition WAS
relat vely good This was emphasized
by the fact that he laughed and ioked
with Us, explaining by operatic mo-
tions how he sang
so strong was he then that he stood
up before US and made motion of
singing IN the act of reaching high
notes in the midst of a dramatic set
ting Then he sa jocosely:
When | was about to reach a high
note during performance in America
something caugat me in the throat.
put my hand TO my mouth, in an eff
'ort to regain G'vaclf, when out spurted d
mouthfui Of oiool.'
''Ceruso laughed as he demonstrated
This condition to us"
Chief Thought Was Career
His chief thought was that of re-
snming his career and being able to re-
<tt..r 10 the stage and sim again. This
was MS greatest anxiety. He chatted
and talked apparently at ease, COM
1ortably exhibiting in that big robust
physique his ideas with gestures and
>-ii4.Sts. L 4iS<t ttyfS. our OplNlOu war =
.lan,ed his coming 10 Rome, where the
operation could be performed under
conditions where hospital appliances
were more complete and modern to
handle his case"
Returning to the subject of Caruso's
illness in America, DR.. Bastlanelli said
tae grave complication Of Caruso's all
nent at that time "absorbcd the en-
ire attention of the doctors, who could
Tot occupy themselves with anything
else than 70 attend to it. but we knew
v'ih certainty that Dr.. Erdmann Zone
g the American PHI sicians who at
tended Caruso1 rea aized the existence
Of the subrenal abscess.
"Ihe American doctors showed the
greatest professional skill and
i technique in the operation they per-
crmed. Their work commands the
greatest admiration and respect, in
ereasing the deserved fame which
American doctors enjoy throughout the
world"
AS a parting word, the famous Ital-
ian surgeon said to the correspondents
"Wnatever you can say in praise of
american doctors, say it as coming
from me"
His brother, Giuseppe. is known as
ftaiy's greatest physician. Both spe-
cialsts married American women DR..
Kaffaeles wife was Miss Lucille
Lcomis, OF OIL City, Pa, and Dr. Giu-
seppe's wife was Mss Marion Rawle,
nf pliladeIuhia