CRITICAL STAGE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 84, 21 January 1936, Page 5

CRITICAL STAGE

PROGRESS OF INSPECTION.

NOT SUFFERING PAIN.

FIGHT AGAINST WEAKNESS

'United Piress Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 10.5 a.m.) LONDON, January 20.

Early to-day the doctors expressed the opinion that the King’s static condition might persist for several days, hut examination in the evening showed a slow weakening, which one in close touch with court circles described as “a general slowing-up of the bodily machine.”

Since Friday his Majesty has been fighting hard against encroaching weakness, but a bulletin indicated that he is losing ground. The King is not suffering. The “IStar” learns that medical experts regard to-night as a critical time. Tf the King rallies lie has a good chance of recovery.

NEWS AXIOUSLY AWAITED.

A SAD DISAPPOINTMENT. MANY TOUCHING SCENES. , (United Press Association —Copyright.) (Received This Day, 11.20 a.m.) LONDON, January 20. The public waited anxiously all day for further news of the King’s progress. A statement issued at Sandringham in tiie morning said there was no substantial change to record in his Majesty’s condition. The following news was eagerly looked for, and a bulletin issued by the King’s doctors late this afternoon came as a sad disappointment to millions whose hopes were ardently fixed on his Majesty’s early recovery. The crowds which have lingered all day outside Buckingham Palace to see the official announcements as they appear were largely increased to-night. There have been many touching scenes, demonstrating the affection in which the King is held by all classes and a! depth cf feeling which anxiety for his health has inspired.-—British Official Wireless.

PRAYERS AT ST. PAUL’S.

A BROADCAST SERVICE.

SOVEREIGN AND FAMILY

HEAD.”

LONDON, January 20. The Very Rev. W. R. Matthews, Dean of St. Paul’s, offered prayers at a. broadcast service for the King and the Royal Family. Princess Alice and the Duke and Duchess of Saxc-Goburg-Gotha were among a large congregation at Westminster Abbey in the evening. Before the blessing, Dean Foxley Norris walked to the top of the chancel steps and asked the congregation to kneel and pray for their Majesties and the Royal physicians. He added earnestly: “Our hearts are filled with anxiety, and the whole nation is stirred, though we may thank God that the King's strength lias been maintained. “Pray in your own words, and with your own thoughts, remembering how the Royal House has always cared for us and sympathised in our every sorrow.

“We shall respond tc his appeal at Christmas time to regard ourselves as members of his great family, by praying not only for the King as Sovereign of the Empire, but for him who has made us feel that we are one.”

AVOIDANCE OF STRAIN

ONLY LIQUID FOOD GIVEN.

8 EFFECT OF FORMER. ILLNESS. | LONDON, January 20. 8 To preclude the slightest strain on Ibis digestion and to avoid taxing his jlieart, the King has had no solid food [for three days. He is subsisting on a (carefully-devised diet of warm liquids, [given at frequent intervals in small (quantities, including barley water, arrowroot, lemon juice, and beef tea, (and a special supply of milk from the (dairies on the Sandringham estate, j The medical correspondent of “The [Times” points out that while the [King’s illness is not a recrudescence of (the illness of seven years ago, that [illness must he borne in mind, since (the recovery, though complete, en[tailed a heavy drain on his Majesty’s recuperative powers which could not easily he restored. The currency of influenza throughout the country adds to the doctors’ anxiety. j The King’s illness has also occurred in mid-winter, when respiratory dis'ease is always prevalent. Moreover, the recent death -of his sister appears to have limited the range of his efforts.