Death of Napoleon III, historical autograph letter signed by the Duke of Bassano, 04/01/1873

  
THE FIRST LITHOTRIPSY SESSION [THE OPERATION] WAS PERFECTLY SUCCESSFUL. [Camden Place] Saturday, January 4, 1873, to his former chief of staff, Ernest Théroulde; 2 1/2 pages on 2 leaves. VERY MOVING AND PRECIOUS LETTER DESCRIBING THE FIRST LITHOTRIPSY SESSION PERFORMED ON JANUARY 2, 1873, ON NAPOLEON III BY DOCTOR THOMSON. My dear Théroulde,

I can now tell you why I urged you to postpone your trip.

FOLLOWING AN EXAMINATION THAT CONFIRMED THE PRESENCE OF A STONE, IT HAD BEEN DECIDED THAT THE EMPEROR WOULD UNDERGO THE FIRST OPERATION THE DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY. ONE-FIFTH OF THE STONE, WHICH IS ABOUT THE SIZE OF A LARGE CHESTNUT AND OF A FRAGILE NATURE, WAS CRUSHED AND REMOVED.

Its presence, it seems, dates back 5 to 6 years. The Emperor, under chloroform, felt no pain.

After the operation, he was very calm, had no fever, and slept. The night was good, as was the one before it. Under these blessed conditions, IT WILL BE POSSIBLE TO REPEAT THE SECOND OPERATION SOON.

It will have to be done several times in order not to provoke inflammation. In a short time this unfortunate stone, the cause of the Emperor’s long suffering, will be destroyed. He will recover the health of the best-protected man and will be able to ride on horseback. Judge our joy, which you will share.

It was so cruel to see him thus, constantly suffering without the true cause of his ailment being known and without anything useful being done to relieve him.

TODAY, ONE IS CERTAIN OF THE MOST COMPLETE CURE, and, so to speak, on a fixed date.

With every good wish, B[assano].