THE MEDICAL ASPECTS

Evening Star, Issue 20055, 21 December 1928, Page 7

THE MEDICAL ASPECTS

COMPREHENSIVE S.URVEY (British Official Wireless.) Press Association—By Telogr ipn—Copyright RUGBY, December 20. (Received December 21, at 11.30 a.m.) An authoritative survey issued at 8 .o'clock last night from Buckingham Palaco to the medical profession through the medical journals, reviewing tho progress of the King’s' illness, says:— “In the first phase there was general infection,’with imperfect localisation, little or no cough, and only one small patch of pleurisy friction. Tho blood culture revealed streptococcus. There was also an, irritative state of tho nervous system, which produced profound distress and a sense of illness, yet with this there was tho wish, born of quiet courage, to make light of the illness and to hold on to work, thus adding to the inevitable wipr and tear of tho fever. Towards tho end of this first phase came an accentuation of tho pleuritic friction, which extended to tho diaphragm. “ Tho second phase was ono of increasing toxaemia, with a dry and cracked tongue and periods of delirium and exhaustion. ,Iu short, it was a clinical picture resembling that of a case of severe typhoid fever in the third ami fourth week, but with the added anxiety of attacks of dyspepsia and cyanosis, due to tho strain of,tho heart. “Vfitli tho next phase came an abatement of the fever, and some evidence of localisation. Tho localisation is tho right lung did not result at tin’s stago in effusion, as shown, by puncture and tho excellent radiographs. A few days later the.temperature rose rather abruptly to a. higher level, and on December 12 there was evidence at the extreme right base of an effusion which had commenced between the lung and the diaphragm. Drainage by means of rib resection was performed-on tho same day under general amesthesia (gas ’and oxygen). A prominent organism in empyema has now been established to be identical with tbo streptococcus found in the blood. , “Though the infective process has become .gradually localised, its severity, coupled .with lowered vitality resulting from tlic length of the illness, must make the progress of healing difficult and tedious. The local sloughing, however, is less pyonouticed today, and the tissue reaction is apparent. To stimulate the vitality of tho tissues a general exposure to ultraviolet rays from a mercury lamp Jins been made cadi day since December 15. “ There is reason to think that tho ultra-violet rays have, in combination with the other treatment, been beneficial. It will be apparent that not only tho severity and length of the infection but tho exhaustion resulting therefrom must make progress slow and difficult. At the same time the dangerous phases of tha illness have been surmounted, and there are increasingly solid grounds for hoping that recovery will result from this long and anxious struggle,”.

BRITAIN REJOICES. CHRISTMAS TRADE 'PICKS UP. —-™—™ Press Associatiou—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, December, 20. (Received The news of the past couple of days, so happily confirmed by to-day’s bulletin, is further; strengthened by tho fact that the doctors did not deem it necessary to issue a night bulletin. This' had a icmarkable effect on the whole country. In fact, wo may at least consider' His Majesty to bo out of immediate danger, and that slow but steady improvement seems assi’iod. This has conic ns a veritable tonic on tho eve of the Christmas festivities, 'and will have far-reaching effects. The inevitable complications as the result of such a dangerous illness have been felt over.the whole of England and a greater part of Europe. Trade, generally so brisk'at tins .particular season, had reacted: to the disadvantage of the biff and small traders alike, j Thousands/oiVbig'’ festivities Were on,the-point,of cancellation. Tho good mews was 'discernible, on. the conn*.' tcuancu of- the London crowds yoater-

day and to-day, ; and Loudon is crammed with eager shoppers. A cheering proof of 1 His Majesty’s improvement is told in connection with tba Hiding School party ,at Buckingham Palace.. Not cnly was the King aware of its progress, but twice daring the coarse of the day ho asked how it was progressing, and expressed the hope that the men were enjoying themselves, and wanted to kno.v if they wore getting everything. Following this afternoon’s bulletin Dr Howotp and Dr Woods again administered rays. Sir Stanley Hewett, Lord Dawson, Sir Humphry Rolleston, Sir Farquhar Buzzard, and Sir Hugh Rigby wore in consultation for ninety minutes. The latter four left the Palace at B.3o.—Australian Press Association.