THE KING’S CONDITION.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 2 January 1929, Page 8

THE KING’S CONDITION.

LOCAL INFECTION DIMINISHING SPECIALISTS CONCENTRATE ON MAINTAINING STRENGTH! (Sun Cable.) LONDON, Dec. 31. . A bulletin issued at 8.30 o’clock tonight says: ‘‘His Majesty had a good day and this morning his condition is unchanged. A bacteriological examination showed that the extent and potency of the local infection is diminishing.” An earlier bulletin, issued at midday, said: ‘‘The King passed a somewhat restless night. .His general condition has been maintained, although, as previously noted and stated, his exhaustion still presents a difficult problem. There is a little more readiness to take nourishment and the local condition is progressing.” The bulletins were.signed; Hewctt, Wilby, Rigby, Buzzard, Dawson. DIET OF EGGS, MILK. AND NOURISHING JUICES.

The King’s daily diet consists of two sipped raw eggs, supplemented with a. little milk and fruit juice, m addition to .meat juice extracts, which are administered with medicine. Five doctors consulted for two and a-half hours before the issue of the raidday bulletin and carried out a. further general review. It is understood that during the preceding 36 hours, the King’s progress has been slightly cheeked, but there has not been any actual setback. The position is rather that progress has been interrupted than that any ground has been lost. The chief point in the bulletin is the reference to exhaustion, and anxiety must persist while the weakness continues in its present serious state. The doctors are concentrating all their attention on this problem, as other matters have been going en quite satisfactorily. A good feature is more readiness to take nourishment, and on this point hopes are being built. The Prince of Wales visited the Palace this morning. WEAKNESS THE CENTRAL FEATURE. Medical comments on to-day’s (Monday’s) bulletin emphasise that the nature of his Majesty’s illness is su<sh that the King’s progress is hardly susceptible of daily mcausurcmerit. A more reliable test is -a comparison over a week. (It must still be stressed that the central fact is that the King's condition remains one of great weakness.

ORIGINAL DISEASE SURMOUNTED

The present position of the King as revealed by to-night’s (Monday’s) bulletin may be summed up-as that the original disease is practically conquered and the doctors arc now loft to deal with the grave daiiger to the constitution from extreme weakness. This at the moment is causing considerable anxiety and the physicians are con-' centrating on the difficult pro olein or increasing the King’s strength. All possible measures known to medical science are being taken to this end. It is stated authoritatively that at this stage of the illness it is possible the King may not show signs of progress during periods of twelve hours, without this being definitely a had sign. Progress, as has si> often been stressed, must be so slow and slight that it is impossible at times to detect any change during the short interval. While he maiutaii.s his present condition it means naturally that there is no setback. 'Contrariwise, it is impossible for the present state of affairs to continue indefinitely. The doctors are hoping the King may progress slowly day by day, with perhaps, an occasional unavoidable check which may be surmounted, such as on Sunday. Anxiety at the Palace continues. It will be several days before it can sensibly diminish.

EIGHT DOCTpRS IN ATTENDANCE Medical commentators also take the view that the original disease has been surmounted, but admit the resultant weakness is a most difficult problem. However, it is being fought by every moans known to science. Moreover, every effort is being made to induce his Majesty to take nourishment, though often with most disappointing results. Although the good day mentioned to-night has hot yet produced appreciable results, there are hopes of improvement if he has a restful night. It is noteworthy that eight doctors are in attendance at the Palace to-day. The Prince of Wales and Duke and Duchess of York dined with the Queen, Sir Stanley Hewctt staying on. Others left after the bulletin ,was issued.

The rays have been re-applicil