BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Sunday, April 24, 1825
Today is Georgi, or St. George’s Day, which is the typical end of the rental period in Vienna. Although the landlady has told Beethoven he has to go, he is still too ill to move. Yet he will have to leave soon, because the landlady has new tenants lined up for the apartment at 969 Johannesgasse. Johann does not write in the conversation books again for several days, so he may go to his estate in Gneixendorf today.
Dr. Braunhofer makes three visits to his illustrious patient today. Ludwig is concerned that the healing process is taking so long. “I give you my word, you will be healed from the bottom up. What use are all the superficial cures? The illness must be grasped at its source. I know Nature and the life of Mankind and therefore, given my knowledge, cannot cure you by half. Have patience a few more days and you will be satisfied.
Braunhofer notices Johann is not here, and asks where he is. [Presumably he is on his way to his estate in Gneixendorf.]
Braunhofer continues with his instructions. “Every day you should take 1 or 2 of the large powders. By the time that you are completely well, we should make a little attempt to improve your hearing.” Ludwig, resigned, says he has tried everything and some things made it worse. “One must try everything, but never with such force that more harm is done than good. I shall apply far gentler and yet more effective medication, if you just continue with the diet a little longer. Soup, beef, vegetables, eggs, milk, etc. enough.”
After Dr. Braunhofer leaves, Nephew Karl arrives to visit. He has wanted to take the public coach out to Baden and then back to Vienna in the afternoon to make the arrangements at Schloss Gutenbrunn for the summer, since it wouldn’t work to use Johann’s carriage. Uncle Ludwig asks why not, and Karl responds, “He is afraid to use his horses,” suggesting they are only good for small local drives.
Uncle Ludwig looks forward to Baden as improving his health. Karl agrees, “A systematic cure would certainly still be effective; on the other hand, inappropriate remedies could be even more harmful.”
While he was out and about, he ran into violinist Ignaz Schuppanzigh, who asked how Ludwig was doing.
Karl had zwieback toast for breakfast at the Reinlein family’s house, but the spices were not good. Ludwig asks what he did afterwards, and Karl says he went for a walk. [The weather in Vienna is cloudy today, with a high temperature of about 66 degrees Fahrenheit.]
Karl notices Dr. Braunhofer’s comment about trying a cure for his uncle’s hearing, and tells him, “A physician has arrived here who has been very successful in curing the ears.” Johann would like to consult with him, but it all depends on what the treatment entails. Uncle Ludwig asks where he heard about this doctor, and Karl says from Johann.
Karl lets his Uncle know that his quartet op.127 is to be performed again by Mayseder this week [at War Ministry Agent Ignaz Dembscher’s home on Friday, April 29.] Karl leaves to run some errands but will be back later.
Later in the afternoon, Dr. Braunhofer returns and asks how Ludwig’s head is. He also asks what Johann is doing, and where Karl is the whole day. “In Vienna, a young person can get into trouble without supervision.” [That was probably the wrong thing to say to Beethoven, who already was worried about such things.]
Braunhofer observes that Beethoven’s color is much better, and asks about his appetite. He recommends that every day, Beethoven should rinse out his ears very gently with lukewarm water or tea. Then Beethoven should come visit him in the morning between 9 and 10.
Braunhofer says he will come tomorrow or even this evening yet. “I hope that your nephew might be here, because I want to prescribe something for you that must be obtained from one specific apothecary.” Ludwig asks what time he might expect the doctor if he comes tonight, and he says after 8 o’clock. Right now, going out and getting some fresh air is the most important thing for Beethoven’s recovery.
Karl returns, having received an application for a housekeeper. “She is certainly no widow, but she appears to me to be quite usable; plus she is already somewhat advanced in years. She is coming tomorrow to cook a trial meal.” As well as Karl can tell from what she says, she is an accomplished cook.
Ludwig asks when Johann will return. Karl expects him back on Friday, April 29.
Ludwig tries doing some exercises, but Karl cautions him that he’s doing them too vigorously. He needs a more gentle back and forth motion.
Karl needs to go see the Pastor now, otherwise he won’t find him there. [The always unreliable Anton Schindler indicated that Father Weiss, who treated hearing problems, is meant here. More likely, Karl is referring to one of his periodic trips to the pastor to get an affidavit signed that he is still alive so he can continue to collect on his father’s government pension.]
Dr. Braunhofer returns, probably around 8 o’clock, having run into Karl on his way out. Karl spoke to him about his great love of his Uncle. Braunhofer will give Ludwig a list of symptoms and they can see how they compare to what Beethoven is feeling. Ludwig asks whether these are the symptoms in the past when he was feeling better, or now. Braunhofer clarifies that he means the present.
“You will obtain a small bottle with vegetable juice. Drink this before going to sleep, 2 hours after eating, all at once. Afterwards, however, you may not drink anything else. Tomorrow, go on a slow walk again.” He will return at 1 o’clock. The air is too humid for his usual vigorous walking, and Ludwig needs to wait until the air is drier. He will have to have patience.
What about the baths in Baden, Beethoven asks. “The bath won’t do you any good until the irritation is gone from your lower body and your urine is no longer colored.”
Conversation Book 87, 37r-41r.