THE KING’S ILLNESS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 71, 17 December 1928, Page 11

THE KING’S ILLNESS

NO CAUSE FOR IMMEDIATE ANXIETY NEW TREATMENT TO BE GIVEN jUSE OF ULTRA-VIOLET RAY {United Press Association.— By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Australian Press association.) (Rec. December 16, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 15. The fourth week-end of the King's illness finds the situation still very anxious, as it was on the previous three. Yet the illness has undergone many changes, and developments—the public buoyed with hope one day and reduced to grave anxiety on the following day. The bulletin is the surest index of the position seen outside the palace. When a bad bulletin is issued the anxious crowd outside grows to thousands. The general poisoning of the whole blood system which was so alarming at the first stage, has slowly localised itself, a collection of noxious matter affecting a lung for which an operation was performed. Such operation, as already pointed out, if successful, is often followed by twenty-four hours’ rapid marked improvement due to the relief experienced. THE LATEST BULLETINS A QUIET DAY WITH SOME SLEEP (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.) (Rec. December 16, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 15. The bulletin issued at 11 o’clock this morning was signed by Sir Hugh Rigby, Sir Stanley Hewitt, and Lord Dawson. It stated that the King had several hours sleep. The local condition was thus far satisfactory. There was no increase in exhaustion and the pulse remains steady. Another bulletin at 7.30 this evening stated that His Majesty had a quiet day with some sleep. Though the pulse remains steady and the fever is now moderate, exhaustion persists. It has been decided to employ ray therapy as part of the treatment. The morning bulletin is regarded at the Palace as favourable, justifying the hope expressed last night that the less satisfactory condition prevailing Is only one of the fluctuations to be expected in the course of the illness. *Last night’s ■ sleep has been beneficial and probably contributed to the maintenance of strength, which, with the steadiness of pulse, is one of the most reassuring features of the bulletin. The doctors had a long afternoon consultation with the Prince of Wales, and Lord Dawson left the Palace at 3 o’clock. The Queen did not go for her usual drive. Princess Mary cancelled today’s engagement at Windsor and remains at the Palace. NEW TREATMENT TO BE TRIED ADDITIONAL DOCTORS CALLED IN (Australian Press Association.) (Rec. December 16, 11.5 p.m.) London, December 15. The most important development today was the summoning of two additional doctors, who arrived at 4.30, left at 5.30, and then returned within half an hour. These comings and goings are partly explainable by information from the Palace that the doctors were waiting for some hours to see the King, but as His Majesty was sleeping in the afternoon it was decided to let the invaluable sleep aid their fight, and did not interrupt him. Lord Dawson remained at the Palace during the whole afternoon, and had a long, consultation with Sir Stanley Hewett. The Prince of Wales awaited the conclusion of the consultation, after which the newcomers arrived. Dr. Robert Slantor Woods, one of the new doctors, is an eminent electrologist and radiologist in charge of the department of physical medicine and electrology in London Hospital. He is part author of “Pericarditis With Effusion.” Dr. Howitt is eminent in Harley Street, and is chief clinical assistant in the action therapy department at Guy’s Hospital, and physician in charge of the phtslotherapy massage departments at the Prince of Wales Hospital, Tottenham, and part author of ‘.‘Observations on Light Sensitisation.”

There was no surprise, therefore, when the bulletin revealed the adoption of a new method of attack with the names of Drs. Woods and Howitt, who are the best known experts on ray therapy treatment and are presumably responsible therefor. The science of ray therapy has made great strides since the discovery of the medical value of X-rays and the introduction of radium, particularly in connection with the destruction of diseased tissue. It therefore played a great part in the treatment of cancer as an accessory to surgical treatment It is now possible to enable the healing work of the ray to operate at a considerable depth by the insertion of minute capillary glass or gold tubes containing radium emanation by means of surgical needles. It is understood that ray therapy will be directed to the King's case, chiefly against general infection. An eminent. London specialist, commenting on the bulletin, said: “I presume the doctors mean ultra-violet ray treatment. It Is known that this has been under consideration. The effect is that of a general tonic. It also acts in such a way as to destroy bacteria. It increases the bacterial resistance of the blood and also would tend to promote the healthy healing; of the wound after the operation. I take it that in this case the doctors are going to use it for its tonic effect and neutralise the infection.

The night bulletin is generally regarded as satisfactory in the circumstances. It is even stated from an usually reliable source that the King’s condition is such that there is no cause for Immediate anxiety. Ray therapy is simply a new method in the long and difficult struggle which the doctors are waging. Exhaustion is the result of poisoning from general infection. The fact that His Majesty had a quiet day and that the fever is moderating is regarded as reassuring. It is recognised that there are still many difficulties to face. Drs. Howitt and Woods left the

Palace at about 8.30 in the evening, Lord Dawson and Sir Hugh Rigby followed shortly afterwards, Sir Stanley Hewett staying on. With a brief break of about half an hour Sir Stanley Hewett, Lord Dawson and Drs. Howitt and Woods were in consultation for about four hours. The calling in of Drs. Howitt and Woods makes ten doctors in attendance on His Majesty. There are six nurses.

There was a curious error in connection with one of the new doctor’s names. At first it was given out as Dr. William Howitt. The newspapers ascertained that a doctor bearing such a name was at Nottingham, but he was still there. Then it was thought it was his brother, Dr. Alfred Howitt, but eventually it was proved to be neither, but Dr. Frank Howitt. It was learned shortly before midnight that the King’s condition showed no change since the bulletin. The Prince of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of York dined at the Palace and left at about 11 o’clock.

At midnight it was learned that the King was having a restful night with some sleep. During the half-hour’s absence referred to earlier, Drs. Woods and Howitt procured the requisite appliances. These were adjusted with the aid of the Palace electrician. The doctors have now marshalled all the resources of medical science on behalf of the patient—bacteriology, radiology, surgery, oxygen, and electrotherapy. The last-mentioned is now frequently used to help the heart, in addition to the other purposes indicated. KING’S THOUGHTFULNESS DISABLED SOLDIERS’ CHRISTMAS PARTY. (Australian Press Association.) (Rec. December 16, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 15. It is announced officially from the Palace that the King does not wish his illness to in any way interfere with the Christmas party to six hundred disabled soldiers, for which the King lent the riding school at the Palace.