What bothers me about this is: no surgeon could be found on Saturday in Paris? C'mon folks, while I am no expert in Euro medicine (I am a physician licensed in three states), I understand that the French system is probably the best on the continent of the big countries, with the German system next closest (the Swiss have an excellent system, but they are small). But even in England--with the worst system--emergencies are covered and surgeons are on call.
Say what you want about the French, they are not barbarians and their medicine is sophisticated. Sorry, but this part of the story does not pass the smell test.
Not to be argumentative, but the time frame is American Professor In France ~ at the end of a three week art tour.
That's going to be at the end of the Spring semester, so first week in JUNE at the earliest (Midwestern schools tend to wrap up by May 15).
OR, in August, just at the end of the French "HOLIDAY PERIOD" where you really do have a doctor problem ~ and so bad at time that 24,000 people did die recently due to lack of care.