THE KING'S ILLNESS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 147, 26 June 1902, Page 4

THE KING'S 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. Jt 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 Sovftreign whose coronation they had been so gladly anticipating. Surely no individual man has ever been the object of such universal solicitude and sympathy. It is under such circumstances, when he has been brought low by the His that flesh is 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 throughsut the Empire today that a good, just, and generous King may be spared to continue his beneficent rule.