DOCTORS’ CONCERN

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 98, 20 January 1936, Page 9

DOCTORS’ CONCERN

Turn For Worse on Friday Night WEATHER VERY COLD Room Specially Heated and Ventilated (Received January 19, 7.30 p.m.) London. January 18. Their Majesties went to Sandringham on December 21. The King first showed signs of a chill on January 15 when Sir Frederick Willans was called in. He took a turn for the worse late last night when his advisers decided to administer oxygen to relieve his breathing. The King is lying in a specially heated and ventilated room. Early this morning a snowstorm blew up, covering the windows of Sandringham House with a white film. The surrounding countryside and roads are thickly covered with snow. The first bulletin was the first intimation that his Majesty was seriously indisposed, as it was understood that he was confined to his room with a cold as a precautionary measure owing to the severe wintry weather. First Illness Since June. This is the King’s first indisposition since last June, when he was suffering from bronchial catarrh, and was ordered to take a fortnight’s rest. A slight chill in the same month prevented his attendance at a London County Council reception. The “News-Chronicle’s” special Sandringham correspondent was officially informed at midnight yesterday that the King's condition was “less comfortable.” Oxygen apparatus had been brought from London and two nurses were in attendance. The King was last seen outside the grounds at Sandringham on January 15, riding his white pony. Early yesterday morning at Sandringham the thermometer dropped 10 degrees below freezing point. The “Daily Telegraph’s" medical correspondent pointe out that bronchial catarrh is usually accompanied, especially in older people, by some embarrassment of breathing, placing extra strain on the heart muscle, hence the bulletins’ reference to cardiac or heart weakness. Oxygen is on of the commonest aids in overcoming this embarrassment. Sir Maurice Cassidy, an authority on heart diseases, was summoned to Sandringham at 8.17 a.m. The Kings condition was unchanged at 7.45 a.m. It was stated before the second bulletin that the anxiety expressed in last night’s bulletin persists. The use of the word “anxiety” indicates that the doctors view the King’s condition with considerable concern. The little Princesses. Elizabetli and Margaret Rose have been told that their grandfather is very ill. They left Sandringham for London this afternoon. The fact that tiie Princesses were sent away *s further indication of the gravity of the illness. The only hopeful feature is the restful sleep reported in Hie bulletin.

Sir Maurice Cassidy has left Sandringham and is not expected to return but undue significance is not attached to this. It is explained that the fact that oxygen was administered and further supplies rushed from London should not be exaggerated in view of the fact that the King, like other sufferers from bronchial troubles, has frequently bad oxygen in recent years. It was officially stated at 10 p-m. that there was no change to report in tho King’s condition since the previous bulleting. At midnight it was learned that the King was sleeping peacefully, and his conditions was unchanged. It is not expected there will be a further bulleting before morning.

The announcement that his condition is unchanged is regarded as showing that his Majesty has not lost ground, although it has not indicated appreciable improvement. Sir F, Willans. Sir 8. Hewett and Lord Dawson will remain within call throughout the night.