CHAPTER XXXVI 



Bronchial cold Aggravated cardiac symptoms Farewell to Sevres 

 Return to the Institute Protracted sufferings Intellectual pre- 

 occupations Observations on his own condition The end 

 Cremation. 



IF in this sad last chapter I occasionally dwell on 

 details which may seem insignificant in themselves, 

 it is because, at this supreme moment of Elie Metchni- 

 kofi's existence, everything was full of significance, for 

 everything converged to emphasise the powerful 

 unity and the ascending and continuous progress of 

 his ideas. 



His attitude in the face of illness and death was a 

 teaching, a support, and an example. That is why, 

 relating the story of his last days, I piously describe 

 everything. 



Towards the end of November, he caught a slight 

 cold, which did not prevent him from leading his 

 usual life, but which, nevertheless, was the starting- 

 point of the illness which took him from us. 



On the 2nd of December, during a walk, he suddenly 

 felt a cardiac commotion such that he thought he 

 was dying. For hours, his pulse remained inter- 

 mittent and very rapid, and from that day he felt 

 unwell but continued to go to the laboratory. 



On the 9th of December his condition became worse 

 and forced him to interrupt his normal life. All the 

 doctors were away or very busy on account of the war, 



254 



