THE KING BETTER

Grey River Argus, 15 December 1928, Page 5

THE KING BETTER

BENEFICIAL EFFECT Of Operation (Australian & N.Z. Cable Assn ; . LONDON, Dec. 13. A bulletin issued at 10.45 stated:— The King had some sleep. Local condition is satisfactory. Weakness and toxaemia are considerable, but the pulse is steady. His Majesty is not losing ground.—(Signed) Hewitt. Rig by, Dawson. Dr. Rigby and Lord Dawson joined Sir S. Hewitt at the Palace at 9.30. It is understood that the considerable weakness mentioned in the morning’s bulletin is causing the doctors much anxiety, which may last another two days. The weakness, however, was expected, as though the operation was a minor one, it was most serious in circumstances. It is pointed out that toxaemia is a vague term applied to mild forms of blood poisoning. To several forms due to micro organisms entering the blood, the word septicaemia is applied. Sir S. Hewitt and Lord Dawson visited the King at 2.30. It is officially stated that His Majesty is progressing. The doctors remained only half an hour, after which the Queen went for a drive. Princess Mary stated at a meeting of the League of Mercy: “You will be pleased to know that so far the condition of the King is satisfactory.” The ‘ ‘ Evening Standard’s ’ ’ diarist says: “I was informed late last night, by one intimately connected with the, Royal entourage, that for the twentyfour hours previous, very little hope was entertained at the Palace. It is now an established fact that the King has had pneumonia with pleurisy, which, however, did not run its course. He then developed empyema, which was the purpose of the operation.” For the first time since the King’s illness, special midday prayers for His Majesty were said in the Abbey, A large varied congregation, richest and poorest, were kneeling side by siide in silent prayer. The Prince of Wales lunched with the Queen. He is avoiding public engagements and is remaining in London until the King is definitely on the road to recovery. LATER. A bulletin issued at 8.45 p.nu, stated: Though the King still suffers from exhaustion, there is a slight improvement in his condition. The local condition remains satisfactory.

Drs. Hewitt, Dawson, Rigby, Buzzard and Hodgson arrived at the Palace at seven. A bulletin, was issued seventy-five minutes latetr. Though brief it conveys welcome* news There is a slight improvement tn the general condition, and the exhaustion referred to was expectable, ami is in nowise alarming, though necessarily of still anxious aspect.

An eminent authority commenting on to-night’s bulletin, said: “It ts as good as one could get. The fact that the King is safely through twenty-four hours is a very good thing. The imluediate danger after such an operation is shock. Fortunately there is nothing like that. The outlook is now completely changed. The fact that the King is even such a little better is very hopeful.” NATURE OF OPERATION. SECTION OF RIB REMOVED. (Recd. Dec*. 14 at 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 13. In the absence of any authoritative statement in the bulletins, or otherwise, there is still doubt as to the actual extent of the operation performed on the Ks.ng. One well informed source states that the operation involved the removal of a small section of a rib to facilitate drainage. On the other hand the “Daily Express” states that it was found unnecessary to cut into a rib. A small incision was found adequate for the insertion of the tube. OPERATION WAS ONLY HOPE ROYAL FAMILY NOW SATISFIED. (Reed. Dee. 14 at 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 13. The “Daily Express” states: — The Royal Family are now entirely satisfied with the condition of the King’s health to-night. There was great anxiety at the Palace last night, due to h, doubt as to whether the heart was strong enough to stand the operation. It was pointed out to both the Queen and the Prince of Wales that if the operation was not performed, toxaemia would in all probability be fatal. It was ultimately decided that the, operation, dangerous as it was, was the only alternative. The “Daily Express” medical correspondent, describes the latest bullc tin as satisfactory, adding tha: it cannot be expectel that the recovery will be rapid, but a pleasing feature is that there is no mention of heart weakness. MEDICAL JOURNAL S COMMENT LONDON, Dee. 13. The British Medical Journal, intro ducing the authoritative review (cabled yesterday), says: — “The bulletins kept the public informed with commendable frankness. Local signs on the chest arc general symptoms of the. patient’s reaction to the strain of a very severe and exhausting infection. They have recorded fluctuations of an extremely virulent malady which would would have taxed the strength of a young man of powerful physique.” “The Lancet,” in an introduction thereto, says: “The position is so far satisfactory. Those conversant with the course of symptoms and their significance in these cases will recognise that we have here a foundation for the renewal of legitimate hopes.’’ A loading surgeon told the “Evening Standard” that had the case not resolved itself from medical into surgical. it would have been hopeless. Now that it is surgical and curative something could be done, and by the end of twenty-four hours after the operation, the heart should be showing distinct signs of relief, if all is going well.

If the King has enough strength to see through a few more days then he

should recover. Hp will have been saved by the operation for empyema, whose operation results statistically, are very good. CONDITION IMPROVES BUT DANGER NOT OVER. (Reed. Dee. 14 at 7 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 13. It is authoritatively stated that His Majesty has lost no ground. It is considered by the doctors that he has, in fact, progressed. There must, however, continue to be anxiety in the immediate future regarding his strength. Nevertheless the doctors are gratified that the King has thus far not only held his own, but actually there is some slight improvement. This is almost more than had been expected under the circumstances. As long as the exhaustion becomes no ■worse, there is every hope that the effects of the operation will be successfully overcome. The condition at the actual seat of the operation is satisfactory. It is stated that no significance attached to the presence of Dr. Hodgson. Neither he nor Dr. Buzzard, who was also at the palace, signed the bulletin. The Prince of Wales lunched with the Queen. He and the Duke and Duchess of York dined with the Queen. THE ROYAL FAMILY. LONDON, Dec. IS. The Prince of Wales’s future plans are uncertain, but it is definite that he will be in Loudon until the King is on the road to recovery. Meanwhile the Prince will not undertake any public engagements or work. He played a strenuous game of squash racquets this afternoon. The Duke of York's thirty-third birthday is to-morrow. It will be very quiet. It is expected that he has cancelled an engagement to attend a Farmers’ Union dinner at Northampton on Saturday. Throughout the King’s illness shoals of letters from all over the world have poured into the palace. To-day, following the the number was greater than ever. Many were aldressed to the Queen, conveying symuathy. Most of the letters were addressed to the doctors containing advice from those who have recovered from similar illnesses to the King’s. Many homely remedies have also been delivered to the Duke and Duchess of York and the Prince of Wales. OFFICIAL EXPLANATION OF ILLNESS. LONDON, December 12. An official statement issued at Buckingham Palace to-night, though timed at 3 p.m., states: — To make clear the nature of the King’s long exhausting illness, it is necessary to state that general blood infection and toxaemia were in the first two weeks’ prominent features, and caused at one time grave anxiety. Moreover, the case has not presented the characteristics typical of pleural pneumonia. Seven days ago, the evidences of general became les prominent, and the blood culutres were sterile, though all medical men will know r that sterility of blood cultures- is not conclusive evidence that general infection ceased. During the last five days, the King’s temperature has again risen to a higher level, yet pneumonic and pleural signs became at the same time les* marked, and neither pleural puncture nor study of the new excellent radiograms disclosed appreciable effusion. Seeing, however, that an original pleurisy had involved the diaphragm, a careful watch was kept for formation of fluid between the lung and diaphragm, and its exterior posterior pulmonary surface. This morning, there were signs of this development, accompanied by an increase of leucocytosis. By exploratory puncture at the extreme right posterior base, a purulent fluid was obtained which contained the organism morph, logically resembling those previously found in the blood stream. Drainage will now be performed. Though this pleural localisation of infection, so anxiously anticipated and looked for, makes direction of the advance more defined and hopeful, there is still a prospect of a long and difficult struggle.

PRINCE GEORGE’S RETURN. NEW YORK. December 12. Prince George will arrive here tomorrow morning from Bermuda, on the Durban, and will proceed directly to board the liner Berengaria, which sails at midnight for England. The State Department, upon advices received from the British Embassy, has made arrangements for proper officials to meet and escort the Prince to the pier. •jQUEEN UNVEILS MEMORIAL. Not only did the Queen at Tower | Hill unveil her first memorial, but her voice was heard over the wireless for the first time. De-pite the weather, thousands gathered along the-route to show appreciation of the Queen’s action in keeping the appointment. The Seamen’s Memorial is engraved with the names of 12.086 officers and men, who gave their lives. It has been erected by all Governments of the Empire. through the Imperial War Graves Commission. After the Queen h!.d unveiled it. the Archbishop of Canterbury dedicated the Memorial. Lady ißyrie and Mr Trumble, representing Australia, ami Colonel Studholme, representing New Zealand, laid wreaths on the Tower Hill Memorial.

VISIT TO TOC H CHURCH. (United Service.) (Australian & N.Z. Cable Asf’n). (Received December 13 at 5 p.m.) LONDON. December 12. Following her Tower Hill engagement the Queen drove to the Toe H Church, All Harrows, Barking, when for the first time in the day cheering broke out. Th© Queen spent over an hour in an inspection of the church, accompanied by the Vicar, Mr Clayton. Princess Mary and the Archbishop of Canterbury. They saw the Prince of Wales Toe H Lamp in the crypt, and knelt ami prayed together.