The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-12-03
ACADEMY PAYS
LAVISH HONORS
TO CENTENARIAN
Eminent French Surgeon Is
Erect and Alert as He
Passes Century.
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IN Science Scrrice
PARIS, Dec. Celebrating the
centenary Of an eminent scientist is
not unusual. The French Academy
OF Medicine, however, recently had
the unique opportunity of celebrat-
lining the centenary of one of
its living members, DR.. Alexandra
Gueniot, eminent obstetrician, sur
geon and author, and former presi-
dent Of the academy.
The distinguished audience in
cluded General Gouraud, military
governor of Paris; the minister of
national education, the minister of
public health, the chairman of the
Paris municipal council, Madame
Curie, discoverer of radium; DR..
Roux and Dr. Calmette. heads of
the Pasteur institute, and many
others whose reputation is inter-
national.
DR.. Gueniot was an erect. alert
figure, smiling attentively at the
kindly speeches which one distin-
guished orator after another de-
hvered. They all read their care
fully prepared addresses. But when
1t came turn for Dr. Gueniot to re-
ply, he jumped up lightly from his
chair, and delivered the opening
sentences of his speech without any
reference to his manuscript.
Wit Stirs Laughter
AfterWard he sat down and read
a short paper, the whimsical wit of
which made this assembly of the
most eminent savants of France
rock with laughter.
In the course of a presentation
of a medal Of the town of Paris bv
the chairman of the municipal
council, it was pointed out that a
facsimile had been presented to a
really old man of 1T years at the
Inauguration of the statue of Louis
XIV in the Place DIES Victories.
In illusions to the centenarian's
comparative youthfulness, he was
reminded that Hippocrates had
reached the age of 100, and that in
1909 Napoleon had received in au-
dience doctor born in 1890.
The day after Alexandra Gueniot
was born his father wrote to an
intimate friend:
Il do not know whether to be
happy or sorry over the birth of a
son to which 1 have contributed
only modest share. The poor in
FAINT enters the world in very trou-
bed times. Hardly seventeen years
have passed since peace was restored
to Europe, and we still suffer cruelty
from the effects of the war.
Prices High Then
Who knows if my son will not
one clay be forced to become the
citizen of republic? 1t makes one
shudder. The conditions of life
daily are becoming more difficult.
Nanette, our servant, has paid %
SOUS for half a kile of butter and
sous for each fresh egg 1t is
absurd and exorbitant!
II would like to see my son en-
bracing the noble career of medi-
cine, but I see quite we'll that he
can not; one of the heads of the
faculty has confided to me that this
profession literally is invaded. And
then, this madness of speed is wear
ing out men. Only yesterday I saw
post chaise tearing along. 1t
makes one giddy
The horses we're galloping at
more than five leagues an hour.
And every one wants his carriage!
The streets of Paris are so con-
gested that you must wait long
time if you wish to cross them.
Madness of the century, my dear,
for which man will pay in the
brevity of their days.
MY son, like his contemporaries,
will not live to be old We know
not what the future has in store for
him, but we can bet with certainty
on his not becoming centenarian."
DR.. Gueniot is the author of
book, Pour Vivre Cent Ans (How
to Live a Hundred Years.. This
centenary celebration proves that,
after all, doctors practice what they
preach-sometimes