BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Saturday, April 23, 1825
Beethoven is still sick and still irritable about being sick and even more so about his treatment. Nephew Karl goes to visit his uncle’s other current doctor, Dr. Staudenheim, with the list of prescriptions that Dr. Braunhofer gave. Staudenheim’s opinion is that if the powders prescribed cause him pain, he should stop taking them. Otherwise, the 3 or 4 powders that Braunhofer prescribed are suitable. But what, Ludwig objects, if they cause pain? Karl repeats, “If you perhaps get pains from them, he said, you should not take them.” But he shouldn’t take them right after eating his soup. [Braunhofer yesterday had told him to wait at least an hour after eating.]
Ludwig is not feeling well enough to concentrate on proofreading the Missa Solemnis copy that has been made by the new copyist. Karl suggests he give it to Ferdinand Piringer to proofread. Johann has discussed doing that with Piringer.
After a while Karl returns and asks whether his uncle has taken more of the powders that Braunhofer prescribed. Uncle Ludwig is not happy with them, and Karl suggests that Staudenheim would probably prescribe something strengthening. [Braunhofer has repeatedly explained why he thinks that would be bad for Beethoven.]
Johann will be coming shortly with his carriage to take Ludwig out for a ride, if he feels up to it. For dinner, Johann has ordered veal feet from a restaurant. But the maid has not yet come with it.
They still need a housekeeper. There is a widow of a first lieutenant who has also applied, Karl thinks she might be good. Karl will make an appointment with her for Monday the 25th. But first, he will go see the other one and see why she hasn’t come. Perhaps something has delayed her
They wait for Dr. Braunhofer to arrive. He comes not long after, and asks how Beethoven is sleeping and how his appetite is. His recommendation is in the evening to take a powder in a wafer cookie; that will mentally make it easier to swallow. For diet, Beethoven can have soup, and if he has an appetite, a small bit of beef with vegetables. “Drink fresh water. The almond milk is too irritating and causes more bowel movements than are necessary. You need one, or at most, two.” Something should be eaten at 8 o’clock in the evening, and then at 10 o’clock the powder should be taken. Reading would help pass the time.
Beethoven asks whether he still has a fever. Braunhofer tells him, “Not fever, but instead an obstruction that inclines you somewhat to infection and as a result makes your head heavy, drowsy, dizzy, and you sleep restlessly. Beethoven asks how long this will last, and Braunhofer jokes that it will last till his urine no longer looks like that of an old Austrian.
“You will also feel stronger on your own through diet in two days at most. Just have patience.” But what kind of medication should I take? “If you want bottles, powders, and pills, you will prolong the time that you feel bad. Otherwise you must pluck up your own courage, be confident, and contribute to your recovery by doing so.” Beethoven hopes he is right. “Tomorrow it will certainly be better,” Braunhofer continues. You can go out for an hour now, but without getting heated and sweaty.” He suggests Beethoven organize his time, and he will be quite well. He also recommends baths once or twice per week.
[Although Braunhofer approves Ludwig going for a ride with Johann for an hour, he does not appear to do so, since Johann later comments on the temperature outside, which would not be necessary if Ludwig had himself gone out.]
After the doctor leaves, Karl and Johann go to Dr. Staudenheim again. He was out in the country and wasn’t there, but Johann spoke to Madame, who sends her greetings. Braunhofer forbids Beethoven from eating the veal foot. Karl thinks he could eat some of it, though. Karl thinks of one of the doctors as more of a pediatrician. Braunhofer forbade the veal foot absolutely, along with the almond milk.
Johann mentions that it is now warmer outside than it is inside. [According to the Wiener Zeitung Nr.94 of April 26, 1825 at 412, the temperature in the afternoon in Vienna was about 67 degrees Fahrenheit.] Johann tells Ludwig he is going to a coffeehouse to read the newspapers. Ludwig’s pulse is quite free of fever, and Johann believes the powders will loosen him up sufficiently that he will be able to get a good night’s sleep. “It is quite certain that you are nearly completely well; therefore wait for the day tomorrow and don’t lose your temper about anything, otherwise you will become worse again.” Ludwig asks Johann when he can eat and take the powder. “By 8 o’clock you can eat your soup or even one or two soft-boiled eggs, and by 10 o’clock you can take the powder.”
Johann leaves and comes back after 8, finding that Ludwig has still not eaten anything. Ludwig complains he hasn’t had a bowel movement. Johann tells him that since he hasn’t eaten, there isn’t much in his stomach. “It is therefore impossible that you have a great deal of feces.” Ludwig thinks he still ought to be having at least a bowel movement per day. Johann tells him, “I am healthy, eat regularly, and only have a bowel movement once every 2 days.” Ludwig would like some wine, but Johann tells him no. “Drinking is very harmful; you will strain your anus and get hemorrhoids again.” Ludwig continues to complain and Johann gives him the powder and cuts him off with, “The powder will loosen up whatever is necessary.” Johann then departs for the night.
Conversation Book 87, 32v-36v.
According to the Allgemeine musikalische Zeitung Nr.30 of July 27, 1825 at 511, a pianoforte concert is given today in Bremen by Dem. Elise Müller, daughter of Dr. Wilhelm Christian Müller, the author of A Trip to Italy [which included Müller’s account of him and Elise meeting Beethoven in October, 1820, set forth here. ] Included on the program is Beethoven’s recently-published set of variations for Piano Trio on Ich bin der Schneider Kakadu, op.121a, described here as “the moody new trio by Beethoven op.121.”