LIFE OF ELIE METCHNIKOFF 231 



treatment was indisputable, and in 1897 the intermittence 

 ceased. In the autumn of 1898 I was beginning to suffer 

 from polyuria ; I consulted Albaran, who counselled ContrexS- 

 ville water, but this cure caused the appearance of albumen 

 in my urine. In 1898 I consulted Norden at Frankfort and 

 Leube in Paris during the Exhibition of 1900. Neither found 

 anything alarming. Norden had told me that I had symp- 

 toms of arterio-sclerosis inherent to my age (53). I adopted a 

 mixed diet ; I took, regularly, sour milk prepared with 

 cultures of the Bulgarian lactic bacillus, and, during some 

 years, my health was quite satisfactory. 



It was only after my journey to Russia in 1909 that a 

 notable aggravation supervened. I felt acute pains in the 

 chest, along the sternum, especially after eating or walking. 



In 1911 the intermittence reappeared. In January 1911, 

 I consulted Dr. Heitz in order to know whether I could under- 

 take an expedition in the Kalmuk steppes, where hygienic 

 conditions are very unfavourable. Dr. Heitz found my heart 

 hypertrophied, some slight galloping noise, the blood-pressure 

 (Pachon's apparatus) 17-16-15. He said, however, that I 

 might undertake the journey, but added, " People die suddenly 

 with less the matter than that with their hearts." The journey 

 went well, though I suffered from frequent intermittence and 

 pains along the sternum when I walked. 



After my return, my heart was fairly satisfactory. 



What consoles me especially is that I have preserved my 

 activity, my passion for work, and my intellectual powers. 

 But, naturally, I am ready to die at any moment. 



At the beginning of the summer I was sounded by Dr. 

 Manoukhine and Professor Tchistovitch ; both thought the 

 heart-sounds satisfactory, but Manoukhine was rather struck 

 by the weakness of the first aortic sound whilst the second was 

 very strong. I had frequent intermittence, but with intervals 

 of normal pulsations. Latterly I have felt better in that 

 respect, and the pain along the sternum only occurred in 

 exceptional cases. 



Whilst preparing for my end, I am glad that I can face it 

 with courage and serenity. 



