Napoleon and Doctor Verling on St Helena by J David Markham

Author:J David Markham
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Bisac Code 1: HIS037060
ISBN: eBook ISBN: 9781844682874
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Published: 2006-03-19T05:00:00+00:00

He attributed his illness to cold taken in the bath room and to the fatigue of a long conversation with the Bertrands.

Wednesday, 18 August 1819. Found Montholon free from fever, skin moist. Still complains of pain under the scapulae upon drawing a full breath, and is very uneasy having been in a very precarious state for a long time in France from an affection of the Lungs, and from which Corvisart told him he had escaped miraculously, warning him to beware of catching of venereal disease, for that his constitution would not bear the exhorbtion of mercury; I laughed off this idea, as it was plain that he was very low spirited and ascribed to the mercury, his present cough etc.

I however thought it prudent to propose to him to call another medical man, and he said he put himself entirely at my directions. I accordingly wrote to Dr Livingstone, about half past nine o’clock.

Longwood, 18 August 1819

My Dear Livingstone,

The Governor having desired me to call upon you in case I should require the assistance of another medical man, I send a horse for you.

Count Montholon was, from the last day you saw him doing very well; the spitting of blood did not reappear and the pain of side ceased. Yesterday morning he caught cold by going into a room with a current of air, and last night he had a good deal of fever, and difficulty of respiration with pain under the scapulae. From the previous Haemoptysis, and having had formerly a severe affection of the lungs, I am uneasy about him and anxious to see you. He is much quieter now, but still complains of being incapable of drawing a full inspiration without pain, and notwithstanding the debility, I am much inclined to take away some blood.

Yours very truly

Verling

A little after 10 o’clock Captain Nicholls went to Count Bertrand and requested him to deliver to Napoleon the message as yesterday. In reply Count Bertrand observed that he did not sufficiently understand the English language to enter into an explanation with Captain Nicholls, but that he tendered him his answer in writing, presenting at the same time a paper. Nicholls declined taking it, saying Count Bertrand surely understood the message; he again presented the paper which Nicholls refused and came away. Captain Nicholls then sent for Marchand who was not at hand, and after waiting some time he sent for Ali, who refused delivering any message and referred him to Bertrand. He then went and knocked at the billiard room and could not see any person to admit him.

About 2 o’clock Livingstone came here, and we saw Montholon. He was much easier, skin moist, pulse moderate. Livingstone seemed to think that the pain under the scapulae etc. proceeded principally from Rheumatism, and the pain in the back from affection of the kidneys; he advised emollients and [illegible word], and 5 Grs. of the Pulv. Ant. at night. I saw him again at night when he appeared to have a feverish exacerbation, gave him the Pulv.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.