KING’S HEALTH

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25678, 15 December 1948, Page 5

KING’S HEALTH

Further Improvement Announced BULLETIN SIGNED BY SIX DOCTORS (N.Z.P.A.—Reuter— Copyright) LONDON, December 13. The Royal doctors reported today that the King; had made substantial 'progress and that “a further improvement in the circulation of both legs and both feet may be anticipated.” Tile doctors have advised the King to remain in London for the time being, but they hope that early in the new year he may continue his convalescence in the country. He will not undertake any public engagements before the summer. Reuter’s Court correspondent learns that His Majesty is now allowed up by his doctors for a limited period daily. His general health has benefited considerably from his enforced rest. To-day’s bulletin was signed by six doctors—the five who signed the previous bulletins and Professor James Paterson Ross, who is professor of surgery at London University, and a surgeon at St. Bartholomew's Hospital. The bulletin said: “Since the bulletin of December 6, the King has made substantial progress. A repetition of tests to measure the degree of arterial obstruction has given the following information.—ln the left leg the process of restoration of the circulation has reached a stage which would be sufficient to permit some activity. “In the right leg and foot the reestablishment of circulation, while progressive, has been less rapid, and it is still of a degree which allows only strictly limited activity indoors. The nutrition of the right foot is satisfactory. “With the passage of time and continuing care a further improvement in the circulation of both legs and feet may be anticipated“We have advised His Majesty to remain in London for the time being, but we hope, that early in the new year it will be possible for him to continue his convalescence in the country. We have thought it imperative to recommend His Majesty not to undertake any public engagements before the summer. “The improvements in the King’s health, which we are happy to record, are in no small measure the result of His Majesty’s willing submission w to certain irksome restrictions, and of his complete co-operation in all measures of treatment.” Professor Ross, whose name appears for the first time under to-day’s bulletin, has made a special study of the nervous system. The bulletin was issued after a long consultation by the doctors. Its text was shown to the Queen before it was issued. Disease Not Named The Press Association’s Court correspondent says: “The bulletin is regarded as very satisfactory. It indicates that the doctors are well pleased with the results so far of the treatment they are administering. “To-day’s is the longest bulletin so far issued, but there is still no mention of the exact nature of the disease from which the King is suffering. “It is understood that the King, who will be 53 to-morrow, will make his Christmas Day broadcast from Buckingham Palace. He may go to Sandringham in January for the convalescent period the doctors mention, but he will continue to rest there.” Reuter quotes its medical correspondent as saying: “While His Majesty’s doctors have not named the disease, the symptoms are those of Buerger’s disease, which produces a progressive narrowing of ‘ the arteries caused by an inflammatory process inside. The legs may lose feeling altogether in severe cases, and the patient may be unable to walk at all.

“Electrical treatment in some cases gives a measure of relief, but for the last 15 years an operation has been performed in a great number of hospitals which has enabled a patient, in many cases, to walk comfortably. Medical authorities do not claim it as a complete cure, but say that it relieves the symotoms. according to the suitability of the case.

“The operation has the effect of opening up the floow of blood from available undamaged arteries, so that the flow to the affected parts is increased 'as much as possible. The suitability of a case or the degree of success attained by the operation depends on whether these undamaged arteries are adequate to open up a sufficiently increased flow. The operation has become recognised procedure in the treatment of the disease, and it is regarded as a minor one. A number of onerations have been successfully performed at the Seamen’s Hospital. Greenwich. In the last ease treated the patient walked out of hospital within 10 days of the operation, and is still able to walk comfortably.” INDIA DRAWS WITH WEST INDIES CENTURIES BY MODI AND HAZARE BOMBAY, December 13. Centuries by Modi and Hazare enabled India to forc e i draw in the second test against the West Indies. When Modi scored his century, jubilant Indian spectators let off crackers and cheered wildly. An unbeaten 58 by India’s captain. Amarnath, who was missed in the slips before scoring, put an end to the West Indies’ hopes of a win. Scores:— WEST INDIES First innings: 629 for six wickets (dec.). INDIA First innings .. .. .. 273 Second Innings Mankad, c Ferguson, b Gomez .. 16 Ibrahim, c Goddard, b Jones .. 0 Modi, c Gomez, b Ferguson .. 112 Hazare, not out .. .. 134 Amarnath, not out .. ..53 Extras .. .. .. .. 13 Total for three wickets .. 333 Bowling:—Jones, one for 52: Gomez, one for 37; Atkinson, none for. 26; Goddard. one for 6; Ferguson, one for 105; Cameron, none for 52; Stollmeyer, none for 12; Christiana, none for 30. M.C.C. V. TRANSVAAL JOHANNESBURG. December 13. A fifth-wicket stand of 133 for Transvaal by Harris and Begbie made a draw certain in the match against the M.C.C. Melville later batted in dashing fashion, hitting 12 fours. Scores.—M.C.C., first innings, 513 for seven wickets declared. Transvaal, first innings 560 (B. Mitchell 38. A. Rowan 23. E. Rowan 38. Begbie 154, Harris 98, Melville 92. Loeser 45; Bedser one for 70. Gladwin four for 73, Wright three for 140). SHEFFIELD SHIELD (Rec. 11.30 p.m.) SYDNEY. Dec. 14. Victoria beat Queensland in the Sheffield Shield match at Melbourne by eight wickets. Queensland scored 285 in its first innings (K. Mackay 67, K. Archer 70 not out; W. Johnston five for 65, I. Johnson three for 75, D. Ring two for 70). This was 151 runs behind Victoria’s score. In its second innings Queensland made 227 (Morris 59. Rogers 57, Carrigan 31; Loxton four for 13, Johnson three for 64. Ring two for 71). Victoria’s two wickets m its second innings fell for 79 (N. Harvey not out 26).

New South Wales beat Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield match at Perth by an innings and 19 runs. New South Wales made 507 in its first innings, and Western Australia 241 (O’Dwyer 51; Lindwall four for 69. Walker two for 42). In its second innings Western Australia made 247 (Carmody 55, Watt 53; Lindwall four for 55, F. Johnston four for 105).