Theos-Talk Archives (December 2002 Message tt00055)

Hello John,

Thanks for your email posted at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/theos-talk/message/10054

I have never heard about a "Certificate of Hermophroditism" in 
regards to Madame Blavatsky.

But I think Jerry Hejka-Ekins has raised some very good points in his 
posting at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/theos-talk/message/9972

Years ago I looked through the papers of Boris de Zirkoff preserved 
in the archives of the Theosophical Society in America (Wheaton, 
Illinois, USA). I never saw a document like the one described by 
Paul Johnson:

"Some years ago I was told by a Theosophist that Boris de Zirkoff had 
a certificate 'proving' that HPB was a hermaphrodite."

The only document I'm aware of is as follows:
------------------------------------------------------------

The undersigned testifies, as requested, that Madame Blavatsky of 
Bombay -- New York Corresponding Secretary of the Theosophical 
Society -- is at present under the medical treatment of the 
undersigned. She suffers from Anteflexio Uteri, most probably from 
the day of her birth; because, as proven by a minute examination, she 
has never borne a child, nor has she had any gynaecological illness. 

(signed) Dr. Leon Oppenheim 
Wurzburg, 3rd November, 1885.

The signature of Dr. Leon Oppenheim is 
hereby officially attested. Wurzburg, 
3rd November, 1885. 

The Royal Medical Officer of the District. 
(signed) Dr. Med. Roeder.
We the undersigned hereby certify that the 
above is a correct translation of the German 
original now before us. Wurzburg, 
November 4, 1885. 
(Signed) Hubbe-Schleiden 
(Signed) Franz Gebhard.
--------------------------------------------------------

This document was transcribed from the original in the archives of 
the Theosophical Society, Adyar, Madras, India and published in "The 
Personal Memoirs of H. P. Blavatsky," compiled by Mary K. Neff (E. P. 
Dutton & Co., 1938). 

You can also find the above document on the WWW at:

http://www.azstarnet.com/~blafoun/carrith1.htm 

See also Madame Blavatsky's letter which reads:
-------------------------------------------------------

Private.

I enclose the medical certificate of Prof. Oppenheimer who made a 
minute and exact examination "since my illness finds itself 
complicated now by some congenital crookedness of the uterus as he 
says -- having it appears something to do with child-bearing (the 
uterus in general not mine or its crookedness) and which (though I 
had always had a dim conception that "uterus" was the same thing 
as "bladder") -- which crookedness kills at once the missionaries and 
their hopes of proving me the mother of three or more children. He 
had written a long and complicated statement of the reason why I 
could never have not only children, but anything in the shape of an 
extra since unless an operation is now made -- they can't get at that 
blessed uterus to cure it. I thanked and declined. Better die than 
have an operation made. But knowing this (certificate) shall have 
probably to be read in my defence -- I did not permit him to go into 
physiological particulars and asked him simply to certify the fact 
that I never had any child or children, nor could I have them.

What next shall people say?

Yours dishonoured in my old age
H. P. BLAVATSKY.

Franz Gebhard and Hubbe Schleiden translated the certificate for you. 
The Dr. (Oppenheimer) says that Gynaecological "illness" 
means "woman's functions" and shows intactness (as Mme. Noury of 
Stead's trial has it) Hubbe Schleiden explaining to me blushingly 
that "it is a delicate and scientific way of putting it, and very 
clear." Don't show this to anyone -- I write it to you as a trusted 
friend -- its real SHAME to speak of it -- though I am decided that 
my friends and defenders should know it. Keep the certificate.
------------------------------------------------------------

Quoted from:
http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/hpb-aps/bl-74.htm

Hope this helps.

Daniel H. Caldwell
BLAVATSKY ARCHIVES
http://hpb.cc