TATIANA ROMANOV: TYPHOID FEVER, 1913
On 24 February, 1913, Grand Duchess Tatiana contracted typhoid fever in the period of the Great Lent before Orthodox Easter. Her condition was very serious for the rest of February and the entire month of March, when the Tercentenary Celebrations actually began.
From the 1913 diary of Tatiana Romanov:
“24th February. Sunday. In the morning temp. 39.2”
From the 1913 diary of Olga Romanov:
“Monday. 25 February… Poor Tatiana still has fever [of] 39.4, but her headache is not as bad. Grandmama and Aunt Ksenia came over to see her…”
“Tuesday. 26 February… In the morning Tatiana had fever 39.1, in the evening – 39.6. At 2 o’cl… ”
“Wednesday. 27 February… Tatiana had fever in the morning and in the evening, 39.7. I went to see her a few times…”
“Thursday. 28 February… Tatiana’s [temperature] was 39.1 in the morning, and 38.4 in the evening, she took a bath…”
“Friday. 1 March… Tatiana’s [temperature] was 38.1 in the morning, in the afternoon 37.8, 38.6 in the evening. She is feeling better…”
“Saturday. 2 March… In the afternoon the Batushka brought the Eucharist to Tatiana upstairs and gave her communion. In the morning [her temperature]: 38.1, 38.7, 38.9, she is tired…”
Tuesday. 5 March… Aunt Olga was here from 2 until 7 o’clock. Sat with her and Mama at T[atiana]’s, who had her hair cut short. In the morning [her temperature was]: 38.9, 39.1, after bath – 39…”
Tuesday. 12 March… T[atiana]’s temperature was normal – 37 in the afternoon…”
“Tuesday. 19 March… T. was lying down on the sofa and walking around for a bit…”
“Thursday. 21 March… T. came downstairs for the first time today…”
Friday. 22 March… T came downstairs and had dinner…”
“Saturday. 23 March… T. was downstairs the entire time, and is much more cheerful. She got a lot taller…”
From the books:
and
Tatiana Romanov, Daughter of the Last Tsar: Diaries and Letters, 1913–1918
3 thoughts on “TATIANA ROMANOV: TYPHOID FEVER, 1913.”
Didn’t anyone think to pack her in ice, use cold compresses or call Rasputin?
Elizabeth Pease
I wonder what about typhoid made them cut her hair.
LM
That used to be a standard thing, the hair would start falling out, so people shaved it.
Helen Azar