On March 19, 1887, the back pages of Lancet contained a one-paragraph obituary notice which read in part:
Dr. Alexander Porphyryevich Borodin died suddenly, probably from highly diseased coronary arteries. His published works were tolerably numerous and included a number of important articles on the estimation of nitrogen. By means of Professor Borodin's process, combined with that of Kjeldahl's, the physician has a means whereby this estimation may be made with a very moderate amount of difficulty and trouble.... In spite of his arduous professional and laboratory work, Professor Borodin found time for cultivation of the art and science of music, in which he was quite adept. He is, indeed, said to have rendered valuable service to the cause of Russian music.
Borodin wore the two hats of medicine and music throughout his life. He had composed a polka by the age of 9 and, when he was 13, a