DISQUIETING REPORTS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19505, 29 December 1928, Page 13

DISQUIETING REPORTS.

Illness of the King. NO IMMEDIATE ALARM. Grave Concern Continues.

It is stated that there is no need for immediate alarm concerning the less satisfactory nature of the King's condition, but no attempt is made to conceal the very grave concern which has been caused at the Palace by the definite check to the slow progress his Majesty was lately reported to be making from the severe illness through which he has been confined to bed since November 21st.

DOCTORS HOPEFUL. NARROW MARGIN OF SAFETY. (Received December 28th, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, December 28. It was learned authoritatively at an early hour this morning that immediate alarm is not felt concerning the King'B condition, though anxiety continues and has never really ceased. Any check in the case of a patient so weak as the King must, of necessity, lie serious. The position is that the King has had, and continues to have, a very narrow margin of safety. That margin is slightly diminished by any check occurring. The doctors are hopeful that the King to-night will regain some of the ground that has been lost. Dr. Whitby carried out a bacteriological examination yesterday afternoon, being at the Palace for an hour. It is understood that the result is being considered at to-day's conference. A leading medical authority, commenting on the bulletin, agreed that it was unsatisfactory, but said that no alarming conditions were evident. Ups and downs were linblo to occur. The Prince of Wales, the Duke of Gloucester, Princo George, Princess Mary, and Lord - Dawson dined with the Queen. The Prince of Wales and Lord Dawson left the Palace at eleven. Lord Dawson, on leaving the Palace, Hold the "Daily Express" that there is at present no immediate cause for anxiety.—Australian Press Association. A DEFINITE CHECK. CONCERN AT PALACE DEEPENS. IiONDON, December 27. A bulletin issued at 8.20 p.m. stated : . —"During to-day the King's condition has not been so satisfactory. There has been a disinclination to take nourish-

ment, and his strength is being less well maintained. His pulse remains steady." The optimism of the past few days received a distinct check by to-night's unsatisfactory announcement from the Palace. The bulletin had a disquieting effect at the Palace, where there is a less confident feeling. It is known that some disappointment'was caused by the slight character of the progress made over mastide. The doctors all along have emphasised that progress must be very slow, but it is now possible to state that the progress is even slower than was anticipated. Several times the bulletins stated that the King's condition was the same, meaning that for the moment there was no improvement. To-night's bulletin indicates that his Majesty has now sustained a defiuite check. This, in his weakened condition, becomes a matter of some concern. The chief difficulty latterly has been to get the King to take nourishment. This has been administered in the most concentrated form possible, while for some time the main features of his diet have been raw eggs. The statement that his pulse remains steady is not altogether a reassuring sign. It means that 'while the doctors were momentarily satisfied, they were watching the future with great attention. The issue of the bulletin was preceded by unusually close attendance of the doctors. For the first time since Sunday Dr. Howitt and Dr. Woods administered ray treatment. To-night Sir Stanley Hewett and Lord Dawson and Sir Hugh Rigby were in consultation for an hour and a half. Lord Dawson had been at the Palace 90 minutes in the morning and "was apain present for a long time in the afternoon, and he remained with Sir Stanley Hewett after Sir Hugh Rigby's departure at 8.30 p.m. There will be a morning bulletin tomorrow, in addition to the evening issue.—Australian Press Association.