Five months of ill-health
Except for brief intervals, Mr Kirk’s health has been poor for nearly five months. During the last two weeks he has cancelled many engagements and has appeared infrequently in the House of Representatives and in his office. Details of the Prime Minister’s health problems this year are: April 9.—Mr Kirk enters hospital for an operation to treat varicose veins. April 11.—Mr Kirk is able to walk round his ward with the help of a stick and is at work on Cabinet papers. April 18.—Mr Kirk leaves hospital. April 22.—Mr Kirk at work in his office. April 23.—Mr Kirk leaves for a week’s recuperation in Northland. Early May.—Mr Kirk is reported to be suffering from a blood clot in the right lung which induced a bout of pleurisy. May B.—Mrs Kirk reports her husband is "at home because of the cold,” but is “much better.” May 16.—Mr Kirk makes an unexpected appearance at the Labour Party conference, walking with
the aid of a stick. May 20.— Mr Kirk attends a Cabinet meeting and be-
gins to work in his office again for several hours a day. June 10.— Mr Kirk received a medical clearance to resume his duties full time. July 6.— Mr Kirk issues a statement denying rumours that he is suffering from any serious illness or that he has received any hospital treatment since he was discharged on April 18. August I.—Mr Kirk has minor surgery to treat an ingrown toenail. August 6.— Mr Kirk has to cancel an appointment; he is said to be suffering after-effects from the treatment to his foot. August 15.—Mr Kirk is absent from his office with what is described as gastric influenza and the effects of a chill. August 21.—Mr Kirk is reported to be confined to bed. August 26.— Mr Watt announces that Mr Kirk will need “some time” to recover from his illness, but that he is expected to be back in his office this week. August 28.— Mr Kirk is advised by his doctors to take a complete rest for six weeks to permit full recovery from the efects of a blood clot on his lung.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33625, 29 August 1974, Page 1
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360Five months of ill-health Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33625, 29 August 1974, Page 1
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