Ricard

Overview

A Paris doctor, the Mon Journal t.14 index entry reads «Ricard (M.), médecin : 180». The reader footnote at the paragraph proposes Dr Philippe Ricord (1800–1889), the Paris specialist in venereal disease, surgeon at the Hôpital du Midi and physician to Napoleon III and Prince Napoleon (Hektoen International; Altmeyer's Enzyklopädie, «Ricord, Philippe»). The identification is plausible (0.6) and not proven.

Relevance to Marie

On 28 July 1881 she writes that she visited him that morning, heavily veiled, and was admitted for a fee although he sees patients only in the afternoon (092.0341). She has long thought that her illness comes «de quelque chose de vicieux dans le sang, mon père étant malade lorsqu'il s'est marié», and that her throat, nose, ears and right lung trouble all follow from it; she has never told her suspicions to any doctor, «seulement comme c'est Ricard il l'aura vu, s'il y a quelque chose à voir ... bien entendu il n'a rien dit». She lists her earlier treatments: Enghien, Fauvel, Krishaber, Mont-Dore. Nothing more is said of the consultation here.

Identity uncertain

Both the diary and the index have Ricard; only the footnote has Ricord. The care she takes to hide her visit fits a venereal specialist, but the printed name does not settle it. If you know, we would be glad to hear from you.

References in Diary

• 1881-07-28 (092.0341)

Sources

Hektoen International, «Philippe Ricord» (https://hekint.org/2026/10/01/philippe-ricord-a-pioneer-in-venereal-disease-treatment/); altmeyers.org (https://altmeyers.org/en/dermatology/ricord-philippe-128041); Mon Journal t.14 index.