THE KING’S ILLNESS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 75, 21 December 1928, Page 7

THE KING’S ILLNESS

CONTINUANCE OF SLOW PROGRESS DANGEROUS PHASES SURMOUNTED GROUNDS FOR HOPE OF RECOVERY The King is continuing to make slow progress, and it is authoritatively declared that there are increasingly solid grounds for hoping that His Majesty will recover, although unchecked 'progress must continue for some days before absolute confidence can be felt. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copy right.) (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.! London, December 19. The following bulletin, signed by Sir Stanley Hewett. Sir Hugh Rigby, and Lord Dawson, was issued from Buckingham Palace at S o’clock this evening:—“The King passed a quiet day. Both his general a~id local condition are continuing to make slow progress.” Australian Press Association. London, December 19. An authoritative review of to-night’s bulletin concludes: “The dangerous phases have been surmounted and there are increasingly solid grounds for hoping that His Majesty’s recovery will result after a long and anxious struggle.” BEST NEWS FOR LONG TIME LESS ANXIETY AT PALACE RAY TREATMENT APPLIED AGAIN (Australian Press Association.) London, December 19. To-night’s bulletin, combined with the closing remarks of the authoritative review, is really the best news from the Palace for a long time. It is officially stated that there is now less anxiety at the Palace as to His Majesty’s condition. It is nevertheless insisted that the oft-repeated warning of anxiety is still applicable. Further unchecked progress must continue for several days before absolute confidence can be felt. ' However, every bulletin which has noted a little more progress is another step in the right direction. Six doctors were in consultation tonight Dr. Whitby, the bacteriologist, Sir Stanley Hewett. Lord Dawson, Sir Hugh Rigby, and Dr. Howitt, and Dr. Woods. The two latter again applied ray treatment. Sir Stanley Hewett stayed on. T 1 1 rince of Wales dined with the Queen. Princes’ Homeward Journey. Prince George, who is 26 on Thursday, reaches England on December 21. A special saloon will be attached to the boat train. He will drive to the Pala'">. where he is i’/inr. The Portuguese Government wirelessed thb Balmoral Castle offering a special train to the Duke of Gloucester, should he desire it, to shorten his journey overland from Lisbon. He replied that he would ’ remain on the steamer.

Princess Mary attended the Christmas party in the riding school at Buckingham Palace, and spoke to a number of men still in hospital blue. The Queen sent a message expressing a wish for their welfare. “The men who were still suffering from the cruel effects of war were very near the King's heart, and were he in better health they would be ns much in his thoughts to-night ns in mine.” The Queen, Princess Mary, and Viscount Lascelles paid an informal and unexpected visit to the Zoo. and remained for an hour wandering in and out of the various sections unconducted. (Australian Press Association.) (Rec. December 20, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 20. A medical authority states that the resection of a rib meant the removal of a small portion of the rib. The Prince of "Wales and the Duke and Duchess of York remained at the Palace until 11 p.m. BULLETINS AT CHRISTMAS TIME TRADE AND FESTIVITIES CURTAILED (Australian Press Association.) London, December 19. Lord Dawson did not visit the Palace after lunch, and no -interim statement was given out. The Queen went motoring for the first time for some ditys. Members of the Royal household are in a more hopeful mood as the result of the morning’s cheering bulletin, though a note of warning is added that anxiety must continue, inasmuch as the improvement noted so far is very slight. All steps are in the right direction, but they are only very small steps. Mr. Baldwin announced in the House of Commons that when. there were no newspapers during Christmas the bulletins relating to the King would he posted in the post offices and also broadcast.

The King’s illness is having a marked effect on Christmas trade and festivities. Numerous social functions are being cancelled, and tlie big stores report curtailed business. From Paris exporters complain that the poultry and fruit trade to England is at least 25 per ceut. below that of 1927. THE KING’S PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS NATION’S DEEP DEBT OF GRATITUDE ("Timos'' Cables.) (Rec. December 20, 9.25 p.m.) London, December 20.

“The Times” states: "The nation owes a deep debt of gratitude to the physicians and surgeons for their wisdom and strength o£ mind in cir-

cumstances of the greatest anxiety, and for the candour with which they day by day told the simple truth about the King’s condition. Now that hope and confidence may legitimately be felt, there devolves -on everyone the duty of maintaining an attitude of quiet cheerfulness.” MEETING OF COUNCIL OF STATE (British otUclal Wireless.) Rugby, December 19. The Councillors of State will hold a Privy Council on behalf of the King on Friday. They consist of the Queen, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Lang, the Prime Minister, Mr. Baldwin, and the Lord Chancellor, Lord Hailsham,