SLIGHTLY BETTER

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 82, 31 December 1928, Page 9

SLIGHTLY BETTER

FLUCTUATIONS IN KING’S ILLNESS -

SOME OF LOST GROUND REGAINED • DOCTORS DECIDE, ON NEW TREATMENT The latest (bulletins state that there is a very slight change for the better in the King’s con--1 dition. The doctors have decided to adopt a new treatment. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.— Copyright.) (Australian Press Assn.—Uniter* Service.)

London, December 28.

The bulletin issued from Buckingham Palace this morning read: “The King had a fair night, with quieter sleep towards morning. There is less difficulty with the taking of nourishment, and the patient’s general state has improved during the last twelve hours. At a consultation this morning, the progress of the past week was reviewed. During that period there has been a definite improvement in local conditions. On the other hand, the general condition, as evidenced by weight and strength, does not show the same progress. The measures best adapted for meeting this difficulty were considered and determined. (Signed) Stanley Hewett, Hugh Rigby, Farquhar Buzzard, Humphrey Rolleston, Dawson of Penn.” A bulletin issued at 8.15 p.m. read: “The King had a restful day, and the slight improvement noted in the morning is maintained."

GENERAL CONDITION CAUSES CONCERN

(British Official Wireless.)

- Rugby, December 28. This'morning’s bulletin about the King, was regarded in Palace circles as of a slightly less disquieting character than that of yesterday evening. The advance made by the King during the night was very slight, and anxiety was lessened only to a small extent. An important feature of the bulletin is the statement that the King’s general condition does not show, the progress expected a week ago. It is His Majesty’s general condition which is the chief concern of the physicians, and it will not be until this shows considerable improvement that any more definite progress can be made. The fact that his local condition continues to show progress, though satisfactory, is not of immediate importance.

A good sign in the bulletin is that the doctors are finding less difficulty in inducing the King to take nourishment, which is necessary for the building up of the King’s strength. Measures which the doctors have now' decided to adopt as announced in the bulletin, are at the moment not disclosed. It is understood that at this morning’s consultation, the results-.of the bacteriological examination made yesterday by Dr. Whitby were considered. ADVANCE VERY SLIGHT (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.) London, December 28. Anxiety has been somewhat relieved by the fact that the King has shown some improvement in the last twelve hours before the bulletin. This, to a small extent, justifies the hopes which the doctors expressed last night that the King would regain some of the lost ground. The night advance is, however, slight. The principal anxiety is regarding the general condition. The local condition, though satisfactory, is not of paramount importance. The Prince of Wales called at the Palace twice in the morning. Princess Mary has postponed her visit to Harewood Hall. EASIER AIR AT PALACE THE KING ABLE TO TAKE NOURISHMENT (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.) London, December 28.

The nature of the new treatment on wflich the doctors have determined is still undisclosed. Even high officials at the Palace are not aware of it. There was an easier air at the Palace to-night, where it was learned officially that the King’s condition was slightly on the upgrade since last night's disquieting bulletin. The lost ground has been more or less recovered. Consequently the anxiety has been lessened. The margin of safety, however, is still small, as there has been no actual progress compared with Monday, when his condition became stationary.

To-day’s slight advance is due chiefly to the fact that the King has been able to take nourishment. In view of the nature of the bulletin, the Prince of Wales is adhering to his original intention to hunt to-morrow. The Duke and Duchess of York, who had intended to return to London from Northamptonshire to-night, will not return till to-morrow. When the Leviathan berthed nt Southampton the first thing sent ashore was a small, heavy packet which was at once handed over to a King's messenger. It was placed m the Foreign Office box and hurried to Buckingham Palace. It is stated officially at the Palace that the packet contained a preparation used by the Allied Armies in the wr for the sterilisation of wounds. Dr. O'Neill Sherman. of the Carnegie Steel Company, suggested sending a supply for treating the King. It is stated that it will be used in the treatment of the local condition. SATURDAY'S BULLETINS (Australian Press Assn. — United Service.) (Rec. December 30, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 29. A bulletin issued at 11.30 a.m. states that the King had a quiet night and that there is a verj- slight change for the better. A bulletin issued at 8.15 p.m. states: ‘•The King had a quiet day. The slow improvement noted this morning continues. No further bulletin will be issued till Sunday evening.” Bot& bulletins are signed bj Si£

Stanley Hewett, Sir Hugh Rigby and Lord Dawson. CONSIDERABLE DANGER STILL PROBLEMS CONFRONTING DOCTORS (Australian Press Association.) (Rec. December 30, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 29., The sixth week-end of the King’s illness finds the patient still in considerable danger, although the threat is not so imminent now as earlier in the month. The recent bulletins have been carrying the warning that it is premature yet for complacency. The doctors are now confronted with two problems—the local condition of the right lung, which appears to show definite improvement, and, secondly, the general state of the system, which clearly has not improved, although improvement is of the greatest importance. The return to bulletins twice daily shows what the doctors thought of Thursday’s setback, which is described in some quarters as a relapse. It is clear that the King’s system has been strained to the utermost by the illness, which is both slow and exceptionally severe. He could only in any case rally by degrees, while at this time of the year the weather factors are making the recovery more difficult. FOUR FAVOURABLE BULLETINS POSITION MORE HOPEFUL (Australian Press Association.) (Rec. December.3o, 11.5 p.m.) London, December 29. The announcement of a fourth favourable bulletin in succession caused a general feeling of satisfaction, heightened by an authoritative statement that instead of anxiety being increased since last Thursday, the reverse is the case. There is slightly less anxiety. At the Palace there is a renewed air of hopefulness. The Press generally has hitherto, dealt restrainedly with His Majesty’s illness, but two journals this morning gave prominence to statements which led to the unusual course of contradictions being broadcast throughout the country on the Palace authority by the British Broadcasting Company, The announcement was made after a recital of the evening bulletin. None of these statements was transmitted by the Australian'and New Zealand Press Association, whose sources of information have proved most reliable and in closest touch with the Palace. The announcer declared that the question of blood transfusion, the mention of which in a morning paper caused hundreds to rush to offer blood, had not been considered. On the contrary the measures decided upon for (increasing the King’s general strength related. to a new course of medicine. He further stated: “The report that the King has been unconscious for long periods is very misleading at this stage of the illness.” It is learned that Sir Stanley Hewett and Dr. Woods to-night again administered ray therapy treatment. Dr. Hodgson, the . radiologist, also visited the Palace. No significance is attached to the. latter’s visit. Lord Dawson departed at 9 o’clock, earlier than usual.

The Duke and Duchess of York returned from Northamptonshire and dined with the Queen. The Prince of Wales, who was expected back in London after a day’s hunting, decided not to return, but to spend the weekend in the country. Thus the position is distinctly more hopeful, though it is stressed that anxiety must inevitably continue while His Majesty’s condition remains one of extreme weakness. HAVING A QUIET NIGHT Australian Press Association. (Rec. December 30, 11.5 p.m.) London, December 30. It is learned from the Palace that the King is having a quiet night, with some sleep. His condition generally is unchanged. POWERFUL ANTISEPTIC A WAR-TIME REMEDY

EMPLOYED IN TREATING THE KING’S LUNG

Dominion Special Service. (Rec. December 30, 11.5 p.m.)

London, December 29.

Dakin’s solution will be employed in treating the King’s lung according to the “Daily Mail.” It is one of tlie most powerful antiseptics known to science, and was discovered as a result of joint researches by Dr. Dakin, British investigator, and Dr. Alexis Carrel, a Frenchman. It is made from chloride of lime, and an hydrous sodium carbonate. The chlorinated lime is first digested in water and then filtered. Then the other ingredients are similarly treated. The solutions are mixed together. Both Dakin and Carrel worked with the Allied armies in France during the war, when the "Carrel-Dakin" solution literally saved millions of soldiers’ lives. There is a new method of preparation since the antiseptic was introduced, but the original principle remains unchanged. The solution is carried to the wound by a small rubber tube, which is fed from a receptacle placed above the patient. The continuous flow has the effect of washing away septic matter as it forms.

Dr. Dakin graduated at London Hospital.