SECOND EDITION.
THE KINGS iLLNESS.
The joyous anticipations that have inspired the many millions of subjects over whom King Edward rules have been suddenly arrested, and, as the cabled bulletin announcing his serious illness informs us, they have been changed into widespread consternation. It is not easy to adequately realise the effect that has been created by this impressive illustration of the uncertainty of human affairs. A cloud of gloom and sadness has been cast over the wide dominions of a great nation, and at the present moment the deepest concern exists among millions of people in all parts of the. world for the weal of the Sovereign whose coronation they had been so gladly anticipating. Surely no individual man has ever been the object of such universal solicitude and Bympathy. It is under such circumstances, when he has been brought low by the ills that flesh i 3 heir to, and that respect neither peer nor peasant, that the personal popularity of King Edward, and the feeling of personal affection in which he is held, are re' vealed in their real strength. His loyal subjects are as one in their earnest desire and prayer that he may recover from the illness which has brought him to death's door, and receive his Crown under the brightest and happiest of auspices. The illness from which the King is suffering is described as perityphlitis, which is a localised form of peritonitis—inflammation of the lining membrane of the abdomen. It is more commonly known as appendicitis, its immediate cause being inflammation of the vermiform appendis. Although a serious disease, it is amenable to modern surgical treatment, and the majority of cases operated upon recover. We cannot, however, close our eyes to the fact that the disease is a critical and dangerous one, and the prognosis must necessarily depend upon the extent to which the inflammatory action has spread. Under the most favorable conditions several weeks must elapse before the King can possibly be about again. The fact that heavy insurance business in connection with the King's health was being transacted in England some weeks ago would indicate that the dangerous nature of his malady was not unsuspected. In London and other big centres considerable loss is involved in the postponement of the Coronation, and the interference with the elaborate arrangements for the important occasion is, of course, an unfortunate matter. But this is a minor matter when compared with the heartfelt wish prevailing throughout the Empire to-day that a good,'just, and generous King may be spared to continue his beneficent rule.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MEX19020625.2.21
Bibliographic details
Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVI, Issue 146, 25 June 1902, Page 3
Word Count
428SECOND EDITION. Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVI, Issue 146, 25 June 1902, Page 3
Using This Item
No known copyright (New Zealand)
To the best of the National Library of New Zealand’s knowledge, under New Zealand law, there is no copyright in this item in New Zealand.
You can copy this item, share it, and post it on a blog or website. It can be modified, remixed and built upon. It can be used commercially. If reproducing this item, it is helpful to include the source.
For further information please refer to the Copyright guide.