19th Century Historical and Military Rarities
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[BONAPARTE, Napoleon (1769-1821), association]. O’MEARA, Dr. Barry (1786-1836). Autograph Letter Signed - Final Medical Report About Napoleon’s Failing Health. Longwood: 28th of June, 1818. Sent (though not addressed) to the Governor General of St. Helena, Sir Hudson Lowe (1769-1844); document is headed in O’Meara’s hand, “Bulletin No. 8 / No. 160.” 1 4to page on one folio bifolium leaf of ruled paper with “Britannia” watermark. Approximately 12 x 8”. Signed by O’Meara at the bottom right. Some soiling, dampstaining mainly to lower margin. Fine. This important report is dated one day after O’Meara’s last recorded medical report of Napoleon’s health, which can be found in O’Meara’s memoir, Napoleon in Exile, or a Voice from St. Helena (1822). An excerpt: “Since the last report the Malady has increased, the humidity of the season and of his bedchamber joined to the extreme sensibility of the patient’s [Napoleon refused to be referred to in these reports as “General Napoleon,” insisting on being known as “Emperor Napoleon”; Napoleon and O’Meara eventually settled on “the patient”] system in consequence of want of exercise have produced a severe catarrhal affection which has rendered it necessary to discontinue the mercurial preparations since the 27th. There was in the beginning of the week a copious secretion of vitiated, acrid bile, proceeding from a diseased liver, which produced nausea, vomiting, headache, griping, and a frequent discharge of bilious [?] since succeeded by [?] requiring a very active purge. These effects, together with the existence of more debility, have obliged him to confine himself to bed for the greater part of the time.” O’Meara believed that Napoleon suffered from hepatitis, but the symptoms described herein are also consistent with arsenic poisoning, which has been a constant conspiracy theory since Napoleon’s death. O’Meara was ordered off of St. Helena by Lowe on July 25, 1818.
 [BONAPARTE, Napoleon (1769-1821), association]. O’MEARA, Dr...
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