|
|
樓主 |
發表於 2005-10-29 01:57:37
|
顯示全部樓層
"There seems to be something of a problem in blaming a cancer for Napoleon's death when there is not the slightest symptom to indicate it," said Jean-Marie Andrieu, a leading cancer specialist who attended the debate. "What's more, the evidence in favour of arsenic poisoning is beginning to look very strong indeed."
The principal advocate of the arsenic-poisoning theory is Ben Weider, a French-Canadian historian, who started questioning the stomach cancer story after realising that unlike most cancer victims, Napoleon was noticeably fat when he died.
Other evidence also indicated poisoning. None of the five doctors present on St Helena at Napoleon's death could say with certainty what had caused it, and when examined closely the memoirs of his valet revealed a gradual decline in his health consistent with poisoning.
Moreover, when his remains were brought back to France in 1840 prior to ceremonial burial in Les Invalides, his body appeared perfectly preserved. At the time it was seen as a miracle. Today scientists say the phenomenon is symptomatic of arsenic poisoning.
DNA analyses of alleged samples of Napoleon's hair appear to substantiate the theory. Laboratories, including those of the FBI, have found arsenic levels hundreds of times higher than normal in samples of the emperor's hair obtained from descendants of his valet, Louis Marchand.
Tests have also ruled out another theory: that the arsenic was applied after death to preserve the hair. Mr Weider said: "Both the FBI and Scotland Yard, confronted with the results of these tests, have said that if they came across similar results in the case of a recent victim, they would have no hesitation at all in opening a murder inquiry."
An aide, Charles de Montholon, is thought to have poisoned Napoleon because Louis XVIII feared the emperor could return from exile. But the British were in at the kill, according to Mr Weider and his supporters.
If Napoleon was poisoned slowly by arsenic, he was apparently finished off by a dose of bitter almonds and a mercury-rich compound, calomel, which were given to Montholon by the island's British governor, Hudson Lowe.
Perhaps wary of the consequences for Franco-British relations, some senior French historians and senators were still reluctant to endorse this view. Several said they would wait until France's leading authority on the era, Jean Tulard, had come to a conclusion.
"It would be stupid of me to say poisoning was impossible," said one historian, Jean-Paul Kauffman. "But I think Napoleon was poisoned by the ghosts of his past glory rather than by cyanides. And his legend needs enigmas, not certainties."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/print/0,3858,4014838-103681,00.html |
|
IP卡
狗仔卡
發表於 2005-10-22 21:18:40
顯身å¡
發表於 2005-10-22 22:05:22
