KING'S ILLNESS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 73, 19 December 1928, Page 11

KING'S ILLNESS

ANOTHER CHECK TO PROGRESS A RESTLESS AFTERNOON FOLLOWING THREE DAYS’ IMPROVEMENT (United Press Association.—By Electric Telesravh.—Copy debt J (Australian Press Assn. —United Service.) London, December 17. A bulletin issued at 8.15 p.m. read: "The King this afternoon has been somewhat restless. The progress recently noted has not been continued during the last few hours.” (Australian Press Association.) (Rec. December 18, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 17. The latest bulletin justifies the view held at the Palace that any optimism must still be guarded and restrained. His Majesty, despite the natural sleep so much stressed to-day, has to-night lost some of the ground gained in the previous 36 hours. It is naturally hoped that the check in his progress Is only part of the ebb and flow which must continue for some time, and that the set-back may be temporary. Yet the fact must be faced that nothing in the nature of steady progress has been achieved in a long and exhausting illness. Although three consecutive bulletins prior to to-night’s noted an improvement, this has not, it was emphasised to-night, been in any way marked. Furthermore, there hai’e been periods in between in which the condition fluctuated. The vagueness of the bulletin leaves so much to the imagination that it is difficult, accurately to gauge the actual present condition. Authoritative references to ups and downs have been so frequently stressed, that they must be accepted as an explanation of to-night’s change, but it is not reassuring to recall that anxiety has always been previously expressed at any setback. Divergent Views of Authorities. The somewhat uninformative nature of the announcement'finds eminent authorities with slightly divergent views. One describes the bulletin as indeed disappointing, and adds: “There is nothing to indicate whether the general condition is less satisfactory or whethe some local trouble has appeared. The probability is that the weakness, which has been diminishing in the past twenty-four hours, is showing itself more markedly.” Another equally eminent authority says: “The King has made a big improvement in the past few days. We must expect something of the kind re : ported to-night. Nevertheless, it does rather increase the anxiety.” The King’s relapse occurred late in the afternoon because at 3 o’clock it was announced that there was a slight improvement. It is recalled that Friday night’s news was unfavourable and was followed' on Saturday by a more reassuring note, while thence until to-day a slight improvement has been mentioned. The Prince of Wales left the Palace at 11 o’clock, followed immediately by the Duke a.nd .Duchess of York. EARLIER BULLETINS MORE HOPEFUL TONE (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, December 17. The bulletins regarding the King have now struck a hopeful note. The morning bulletin yesterday mentioned a slight improvement, and the evening bulletin noted that this improvement had been maintained, and this morning’s bulletin stated that it was continued.' It was again officially stated this afternoon, after a second visit by Sir Stanley Hewett and Lord Dawson, that the slight improvement continued. The mention in this morning’s bulletin that the King had had some natural sleep is a very important feature. It was taken to mean that His Majesty had been hitherto having sedatives. This view was confirmed this afternoon by the Lord Mayor of London, who, speaking at a meeting, said: “I saw the Prince of Wales this morning, and he said that he was pleased that the last two reports were so much more favourable and that for two nights the King had had sleep without having any sleeping draught.” The Lord Mayor added that the Prince seemed very much more hopeful that in a day or two more favourable bulletins might be given. The medical opinion is expressed that the chances of recovery appear much better than a few days ago. Natural sleep goes far.in bringing up the strength of the patient, and a tendency to improvement indicates clearly that the heart must be a little stronger. The new ray therapy or ultra-violet ray treatment, which was carried out for the first time during the week-end. is being carried out again to-night. Its purpose is to increase the strength throughout and to resist the exhausting effects of general infection or blood-poisoning. It is considered that the natural sleep men Honed in the bulletin was induced by the new ray treatment.

NEW YEAR HONOURS POSTPONED (Australian I J ress Association.) London, December 17. Owing to the King’s illness the New Year’s honours have been postponed. The official comment at the Palace is that the bulletin indicates that the King has made another step forward. The advance is very slight, but His Majesty’s condition for the moment is on the upgrade. The last three bulletins have all recorded a noticeable improvement