MEDICAL OPINIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 17, 21 January 1936, Page 10

MEDICAL OPINIONS

THE KING'S CONDITION

LAPSE ON CHRISTMAS DAY

FAMILY NOT INFORMED

(Received January 21, 9 a.m.)

LONDON, January 20.

"The weight of medical opinion is that the King overtaxed himself in the nation's service," says the "Daily Mirror." "If the King had simply been a rich man he would have spent the last five or six winters out of England. No doubt the Royal physicians advised to this effect, but his Majesty overrode the doctors because he realised the country was passing through troubles in which a wise mediating influence would make all the difference."

A doctor told an interviewer: "When I listened to the King's broadcast on Christmas Day I knew it was the voice of a chronic bronchitic subject. I.was horrified that he risked the English climate when such symptoms were apparent even to a practitioner who had never examined him."

The "Daily Express" says that one in close touch with the King traces the illness to Christmas Day. The King, after his broadcast, was unable to participate in the festivities, and remained in his room throughout the holiday. No word concerning his indisposition was allowed to mar the family's enjoyment. His health did not cause further uneasiness until January 12, when members of the Royal Family, who were in the same pew at morning

service, had occasion for anxiety. The King refused to rest after lunch and Insisted on inspecting his horses at the Sandringham farm, after which he was exhausted. MORE FAVOURABLE WEATHER. The opinion in medical circles is that the weather is now more favourable for his Majesty. It is pointed out that the recent hard frosts and dry cold would aggravate bronchial cases. Today is warm and sunny at Sandringham, but moist following overnight rain. Anxious crowds gathered at the palace early in the morning, including hundreds of workers passing through the park. Most motorists stopped and read the bulletin. A palace official was. so pleased at the news Nthat his Majesty's condition wab unchanged, indicating that he is carrying on the fight, that he shouted the news to the crowd before hanging the bulletin on the railings. CABEFULLY DEVISED DIET. In order to preclude the slightest strain on his digestion, and to avoid taxing his heart, the King has had no solid food for three days, subsisting on a carefully devised diet of warm liquids given at frequent intervals in small quantities, including barley water, arrowroot, lemon juice, beef tea, and a special supply of milk from the dairies on the Sandringham estate. The medical correspondent of the "Times" points out that while the King's illness is not a recrudescence of that of seven years ago, that ordeal must be borne in mind, since his recovery, though complete, entailed a heavy draft on his recuperative powers which could not easily be regained. The currency of influenza throughout the country adds to the doctors' anxiety. The King's illness has also occurred in midwinter, when respiratory disease is always prevalent. Moreover, the recent death of his sister appears to have limited the range of his efforts.