Mr. *** was being tried for a dishonorable matter; he got sick, and died. Bouvard [sic] was his doctor, and said: I got him off the hook. It was said… - Michel-Philippe Bouvart

Bouvart went to see one of the lords of the old Court, who was seriously ill for a fortnight. As he entered, Good day, Mr. Bouvart, said the patient. I am happy to see you. I feel much better; I think I no longer have a fever. Look! — I am certain of it, says the doctor; I noticed it at your first word. — How is that? — Oh! Nothing simpler. In the first days of your illness, and as long as you were in danger, I was your dear friend; you called me nothing else. The last time, when you were somewhat better, I was just your dear Bouvart. Today, I am Mr. Bouvard. It is clear that you are cured.

Antoine-Denis Bailly, Choix d'anecdotes, anciennes et modernes, recueillies des meilleurs auteurs, 5, 2nd ed., 1803 (Year XI) p. 15

L'esprit des journaux, françois et étrangers 23:2:74-75 (February 1794)