KING’S OPERATION

Grey River Argus, 14 December 1928, Page 5

KING’S OPERATION

RESULT SATISFACTORY Outlook More Optimistic LONDON, Dec. 12. A bulletin issued at 8.40 pan. states that an operation in the King for drainage of the right side of the chest was successfully performed this evening. His Majesty’s condition is satisfactory. LATER. There was considerable relief at the announcement of the successful operation, which was carried out in His Majesty’s bedroom. The preparations proceeded throughout the afternoon in the strictest secrecy. For the first time since the illness, there were sis doctors at the Palace. Lord Dawson was present since 9.30. The five oth »rs arrived at two o ’clock and were close consultation until 4.30. Dr. Whit by then left and Dr. Rigby, honorary surgeon to the King, appearing in the case for the first time, arrived at the Palace at five o’clock. An hour later Dr. Shipway, anaesthetist, was summoned, the doctors having decided to carry out an operation. This was performed by Dr. Rigby. It is stated that His Majesty emerged from the anaesthetic at 7.50, but the doctors remained in the bedroom till 8.30. All the doctors concerned are dining at the Palace. LONDON, Dee. 12. A little past noon, the Prince of Wales drove up to the Palace heavily muffled in a large overcoat, as a precaution against the unpleasant weather in contrast with the sunshine in Africa The Duke of York, who called for th; Prince at York House, accompanied him. A large crowd greeted the Princes at the Palace gates.

Sir S. Hewitt and Lord Dawson remained at the Palace until one o’clock and returned at three, accompanied by Drs. Buzzard and Bolleston, when they saw the King again.

Hugh Rigby, His Majesty’s Honorary Surgeon-in-Ordinary, was summoned in the afternoon. Much secrecy surrounded a minor operation performed on the King this morning. Very few even in the Palace, knew the reason why Lord Dawson and Sir S. Hewitt remained so long with His Majesty, and that a bacteriologist arrived in the afternoon. The bulletin, which was issued at 3.20, read: “A slight improvement in the King’s condition was noticed this morning. His strength is maintained. Some virulent fluid around the base of the right lung was removed by puncture this morning, and further drainage will be necessary.”

It is officially announced that though it was anxiously anticipated that the localisation of the infection makes the direction of advance more defined, and the position more hopeful, there is still in prospect a long difficult struggle. Prapei's for the King have been arranged daily, at noon, at the Abbey, till further notice.

News that His Majesty passed safely through the operation and his condition was satisfactory was immediately conveyed to the Queen, who was waiting with the Prince of Wales, and the Duke and Duchess of York. Three minutes later the Prince of Wales and the Duke and Duchess drove from the Palace in separate ears, but returned half an hour later for dinner at the Palace, which had been postponed. The decision to operate followed a long consultation and the finding of the pleural fluid mentioned in the morning bulletin. The King’s rally last i ight followed what is described ns a wraculous return of the localised 'infection, instead of general infection. This was regarded as a good sign, and meant that the doctors could carry out active treatment, which they did this morning, with the happy result that they were able to arrange the operation to-night. The operation wouht have been out of question had the King been unable to maintain the strength. Despite the ravages of the disease, the temperature mentioned this morning was the first sign that the infection was again localised. The morning bulletin having conveyed the information that an operation was imminent, large crowds gathered near the Palace anxiously awaiting the news, which was received with expressions of “Thank God.” Everywhere, the bulletin was received with cheering and applause.

OPERATION TAXES STRENGTH. (Received December 1 3at 8 p.m.) LONDON, December 13. •The Prince of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of York left the together at 11 15, after long conversations with the doctors, who appeared in good spirits. Sir F. S. Hewett remained all night as usual. The operation which Dr Rigby began at seven o’clock, proved a great tax on the King’s strength. It is not considered desirable, in view of the severe strain, that any members of the family should see the King during the evening. FURTHER DETAILS CONCERNING OPERATION. (Received December 13 at 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, December 13. The “Daily Express” states that the severity of the operation on the King depends whether it was necessary to remove any portion of a rib or ribs. The process is to enlarge an opening already made by a hollow needle, and to remove, if necessary, one or more ribs, in order to allow the insertion of a tube large enough to permit the escape of matter. A. tube is then inserted for drainage purposes. It is usually left ten days, according to the amount of infective matter. Cases have been known where the tube was retained for two or three months. Dr Rigby operated on Prince George for appendicitis in 1922. Dr Shipway is the chief anaesthetist at Guy’s Hospital, and is recognised, both in Britain and on the Continent, as one of the leading authorities on anaesthesia. The same paper understands that the King, during the past fortnight, has been undergoing diathermy treat-

ment. Apparatus has been specially installed in the bedroom. It consists of high frequency electrical treatment which is passed into the patient’s body with an alternating current. This has the effect of stimulating the nervous system, and strengthening the heart. SUBDUED OPTIMISM AT PALACE. (United Service.) 'Australian & N.Z. Cable Assn). (Received December 13 at 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. December 12. At 11.30 p.m. an official bulletin stated that the King was progressing satisfactorily. Although an authoritative medical statement to-night speaks of a long, difficult struggle in prospect, some part of the constant anxiety of the past few days is relieved. To-night among the Royal household there is an air of subdued optimism. The operation was a great tax on His Majesty’s strength, impaired by twenty-two days’ continuous dangerous illncs'. The fact that he emerged satisfactorily makes those in touch with the Royal circle hopeful concerning the ultimate result. Concern, how-

ever. must be felt for some little tim* until it is known how the operation may have affected his strength but anxiety on this score is nut very grave. The King’s condition to-night is re garded as a remarkable tribute to his strength and constitution. The turn of events which led to the operation is authoritatively described as almost a miracle. Thirty hours ago the greatest anxiety existed. It was a remarkable coincidence that the change in condition was first noticed by the doctors shortly before midnight, less than an hour after the Prince of Wales had seen his father. As recently as twen-ty-four hours ago general infection had been causing the doctors much concern. Following the dramatic change, it was quickly realised that active treatment could be undertaken. The doctors had a grave decision to make. It is understood that before reaching the decision they consulted the Queen and Prince of Wales.

To-night there is new hope, although the way is long and difficult, that the King is on the road to recovery. BULLETIN MOST ENCOURAGING. LONDON. December 13. The “Daily Chronicle’s” medical writer says that to-day’s bulletin is the most encouraging since the gravity of the King’s condition was first recognised. During the past week there appears to hav-e been a continual rather sluggish ebb and flow, with nothing Jo indicate real progress. To-day we are in a different atmosphere, and holding a definite promise of progress towards recovery. This clear atmosphere is created by the news that the fresi puncture revealed the presence of fluid on the chest, and located its exact position. A satisfactory feature of the situation is that the King’s powers of resistance should have succeeded in driving microbie enemies into a pen where they can be treated without serious difficulty.

FEELING OF HOPEFULNESS. (Received December 13 at 10.25 p.m.) LONDON. December 13. There has been no medical report on the King's condition since midnight, but it is unofficially stated that his condition this morning was as good as could be expected, having regard to the severity of the operation. Among the public, after discussing the newspaper accounts of the operation, there is a general feeling of cheerful hopefulness. Prince of Wales. THANKS FOR HELP ON HIS JOURNEY. (Official Wireless.) RUGBY, December 12. The British representatives at Paris, Rome, and Berne have been instructed to convey to the Governments to which they are accredited an expression of the Prince of Wales’s warm appreciation of the invaluable assistance afforded by them to His Royal Highness in expediting his journey through France, Italy and Switzerland, and of the admirable organisation in the arrangements made for his convenience, safety and comfort. The Prince of Wales had also expressed a desire that his sincere thanks should be conveyed to the railway staff and officials who were instrumental in carrying out these arrangements. An expression has also been added of the warmest thanks of the British Government for the assistance so freely and readily given. Amid all the worry and anxiety of the rush home to his father’s bedside, ihe Prince of Waless thought of the men aboard the Enterprise, and carried their letters, with the result that, their wives and sweethearts received letters to-day forty hours ahead of the ordinary mail.