MARKED PROGRESS IN KING’S HEALTH

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22819, 14 December 1948, Page 5

MARKED PROGRESS IN KING’S HEALTH

Improved Circulation In Feet Expected

(N.Z.P.A. —Reuter—Copyright.)

(10.30 a.m.)

LONDON, Dec. 13.

The King's doctors reported today that the King has made substantial progress, and that a "further improvement in the circulation of both legs and both feet may be anticipated."

The doctors have advised the King to remain in London for the time being, but hope that early in the New Year he may continue his convalescence in the country-.

He will not undertake any public engagements before the summer.

Very Satisfactory

Professor Ross, whose name appears for the first time under to-day's bulletin, has made a special study of surgery of the nervous system. The bulletin was issued after a long consultation by the doctors. Its text was shown to Queen Elizabeth before it was issued. The Press Association’s Court correspondent says the bulletin is regarded as very satisfactory. It indicates that the doctors are well pleased with the results so far of the treatment they are administering. Today’s is the longest bulletin so far issued but their is still no mention of the exact nature of the disease from which the King is suffering. It is understood that the King, who will be 53 tomorrow, will make his Christmas Day broadcast from Buckingham Palace. He may go to Sandringham in January for convalescent period the doctors mention, but will continue to rest there.

Allowed Up Daily Reuter's Court correspondent learns that His Majesty is now allowed up by the doctors for a limited period daily. His general health has benefited considerably from his enforced rest. To-day’s bulletin was signed by six doctors —five who signed the previous bulletine and Professor James Paterson Ross, Professor of Surgery at London University and surgeon at Saint Bartholemew’s Hospital. The bulletin said:

“Since the bulletin of December 6, the K*.ng has made substantial progress... A repetition of the tests to measure the degree of arterial obstruction has given the following information: “In the left leg the process of of circulation has reached a stage which would be sufficient to permit some activity. “In the right leg and foot, reestablishment of circulation, while progressive, has been less rapid and it is still of a degree which allows only strictly limited activity indoors. The nutrition of the right foot is satisfactory. “With the passage of time and continuing care, further improvement in the situation of both legs and feet be anticipated. “We have advised His Majesty to remain in London for the time being, but hope that early in the New Year it will be possible for him to continue his convalescence in the country. “We have thought it imperative to recommend His Majesty not to undertake any public engagements before the summer.

Reuter quotes a medical correspondent as saying that while His Majesty’s doctors have not named the disease the symptoms are those of Buerger’s Disease which produces a progressive narrowing of arteries due to the inflammatory process inside. The legs may lose feeling altogether in severe cases and the patient may be unable to walk at all.

The correspondent adds that electrical treatment in some cases gives a measure of relief but for the last 15 years an operation has been performed in a great number of hospitals which has enabled the patient in many cases to walk comfortably.

The medical authorities do not claim it as complete cure, but say it relieves the symptoms according to the suitability of the case. An 'operation has the effect of opening up the flow of blood from the available undamaged arteries so that the flow to the affected parts is increased as much as possible. The correspondent says that the suitability of the case of the degree of success attained by the operation depend whether these undamaged arteries are adequate to open up a sufficiently increased flow. The operation has Become a recognised procedure in the treatment of the disease and is regarded as a minor one.

“The improvements in the King’s health, which we are happy ito record, are in no smali measure the result of His Majesty’s ’willing submission to certain irksome restrictions and of his complete co-opera-tlon in all measures of treatment.”

A number of operations have successfully been performed at the Seamen's Hospital, Greenwich. In the last case the treated patient walked out of hospital within 10 days of the operation and is still able to walk comfortably.