Caruso's Throat and Doctor

 

Italian Tenor Enrico Caruso 

Italian tenor Mario del Monaco is regarded as one of the greatest tenors of the 20th Century.  This story from the book Opera Antics & Anecdotes, came from him.

Enrico Caruso was one of the most outstanding tenors in the first half of the 20^th century.  When Del Monaco came to New York in the 50's, many folks remembered Caruso. Some told him that Caruso's early death at age 49 was probably hastened by his friend, Dr. Mario Marafioti, the house physician of the Met. 

Later in his career, Caruso's throat was increasingly irritated, like other singers,  To protect his throat, the doctor prescribed anti-inflammatory medicines in mineral oil.  Caruso would spray this in his throat.  After several years of doing that, puddles of mineral oil formed in his lungs.  Back then, doctors didn't know mineral oil irritates and is not absorbed by the body.  The oil greatly affected Caruso's lungs, requiring surgery on them twice.  This may have caused or contributed to his death in his prime at age 49 in 1921. However, the debate about what caused his very painful death in Naples has never been resolved.

Former presidential candidate Harry Browne in his book, How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World said it's wise to exercise some caution when acting upon the information you get from people who know much more than you do, such as a doctor.    No one is infallible.  Experts are also human beings.  And what we think we know today may be superseded by tomorrow's findings, as in the case of Caruso and the mineral oil.  

Folks, a good leader will listen, consider good counsel, and check with the so-called experts.  But a good leader must ultimately make his own decision. A wise leader will do what's in the best and highest interests of himself and everyone else.

 And as the leaders of our own life,  I guess it's ultimately up to us. To make the decisions within ourselves.  To take the responsibility. And perhaps learning to tap that inner wisdom at the highest source within ourselves is what the journey's all about.