A DISQUIETING BULLETIN

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 81, 29 December 1928, Page 7

A DISQUIETING BULLETIN

LATEST PHASE OF KING’S ILLNESS PROGRESS SUSTAINS A CHECK DIFFICULTY REGARDING NOURISHMENT Coming as it does after the more hopeful reports of the past week, the news this morning that His Majesty the King has sustained “a definite check” in his progress towards recovery comes as something of a shock. The authorities, however, make it plain that there is at present nothing to warrant immediate alarm.

: United Press Association.—By Electric ■Telegraph.—Copyright.)

[Australian Press Assn.—United Service.

London, December 27, The following bulletin was issued from Buckingham Palace at 5.20 p.m.: “During to-day the King’s condition has not been so satisfactory. There has been a disinclination to take nourishment, the patient’s strength being less well maintained. The pulse remains steady.” DISQUIETING EFFECT RAY TREATMENT AGAIN ADMINISTERED Australian Press Association.

London, December 27.

The optimism of the past few days received a distinct check in to-night’s unsatisfactory announcement from the Palace. The bulletin had a disquieting effect at the Palace. There is a less confident feeling. It is known that some disanpointment has been caused by the very slight character of the progress over Christmastide. The doctors all along emphasised that progress must be very slow, but it is now possible - state that the rate of progress is even slower than was anticipated. Several times the bulletins stated that the conditi n was thu same, meaning for the moment that there was no improvement. To-night’s bulletin indicates that His Majesty has now sustained a definite check. This in his very, very weakened condition necessarily becomes a matter of some concern.

The chief difficulty latterly has been to get the King to take nourishment. This has been administered in the most concentrated form, while for some time the main features of the diet have been raw eggs. The statement that the pulse remains steady Is not altogether a reassuring sign. It means that while the doctors are momentarily satisfied, they are watching the future with great attention. The issue of the bulletin preceded an unusually close attendance of the doctors. For the first time since Sunday Drs H-i-ritf n nd Woods administered ray treatment, and to-night Sir Stanley Hewett, Lord Dawson, and Sir Hugh Rigby were in consultation for I an hour and a half Lord Dawson had been at the Palace an hour and a half this morning and again a long time in the afternoon. He remained with Sir Stanley Hewett after Sir Hugh Rigby’s departure at 8.30. There will be a morning bulletin to-morrow in addition to the evening one. UNSATISFACTORY BUT NOT ALARMING LEADING AUTHORITY’S OPINION (Australian Press Association.)

(Rec. December 28, 7.5 p.m.) London, December 27. During the afternoon Dr. Whitby, the bacteriologist, was at the palace for an hour. A leading medical authority, commenting on the bulletin, agreed it was unsatisfactory, but said no alarming conditions were evident. Ups and downs were liable to occur. The Prince of Wales, the Duke of Gloucester, Prince George, Princess Mary and Lord Dawson dined with the Queen. NARROW MARGIN OF SAFETY SERIOUSNESS OF ANY ' . CHECK (Australian Press Association.) (Rec. December 28, 7.5 p.m.) London, December 27. It was learned authoritatively at an early hour this morning that immediate alarm was not felt though anxiety continues and has never really ceased. Any check in the case of a patient so weak as the King is must of necessity be serious.

The position is that the King has had and continues to have a wry narrow margin of safety. That margin is slightly diminished by any check occurring.

The doctors are hopeful that the King to-night will regain some of the ground lost. Dr. Whitby carried out a bacteriological examination this afternoon, and it is understood that the result is being considered at to-day’s conference.

The Prince of Wales and Lord Dawson left the palace at 11 o’clock. Lord Dawson, on leaving the palace, told a “Daily Express” representative that there is at present no immediate cause for anxiety. “THE PAST ANXIOUS WEEKS” REPLY TO CANADIAN MESSAGE (Australian Press Association.) London. December 27. The Queen addressed a message to the Canadian Government following the receipt of a cablegram expressing the Canadian hope for the King's recovery. Her Majesty stated that the ging was not vet able to receive, thg

message personally. The Queen’s message has emphasised the profound exhaustion of the King, but its references to “past anxious weeks” and “looking forward to the day when the King will be cheered” reveal hopes that the stoical wife no longer fears to put. into words. Honours List Postponed. At Downing Street to-night it was announced that the New Year's honours list would be postponed.