THE KING’S ILLNESS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6803, 5 January 1929, Page 10

THE KING’S ILLNESS

Authoritative Survey For Medical Profession

CASE OP POISONING

United Press Association —By Electri# Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, Jan. 3.

An authoritative statement -addressed to the medical profession for publication in The Lancet, and tho British Medical Journal, was issued from tho Palace to-night. It read: “For a true understanding of the position it must be emphasised that neither in its inception nor in its subsequent course has the illness conformed to what is called pieuro-pnuemonia. Rather was it streplocoecal septicaemia, which by a fortunate happening was localised at the base of tile right lung, at first imperfectly, and later as an empyema (fixation 'of abscess), forming between tho base of the lung and the diaphragm. “In the second stage of the illness (compare the earlier report), the clinical picture (dusky appearance, dry cracked tongue, delirium, subsultus, and exhaustion) was that of severe toxaemia resembling that of a case of severe typhoid fever. “So now the picture is that of the aftermath of severe general infection. The empyema wound is now clean and steadily diminishing in size, and the discharge from the pleural cavity is in small amount, and the streptococcus grown from the pus (identical with that originally found in the blood) is diminishing in potency. Eusol has been effective in local application, though, through the courtesy of an American colleague, Dr. Sherman, of Pittsburgh, a supply of Dakin’s solution clectrotytically prepared, lias been recently received, there is no opportunity to use it because tbo necessity for any such local application has passed. Problem of Exhaustion.

“On tho contrary, tho disinclination to take food, the dryness of the tongue, the low blood prossurc, tho weakness and wasting and notable exhaustion, though slowly improving, will Jong bo an anxious problem. It will be readily understood that while the exhaustion state is pronounced, the margin of reserve power must be narrow, and the small set-backs inevitable at this stage, have a correspondingly severer effect. “It is important that the should not interpret such set-baexs or reports of no change as relapses. During each week there will bo ups and downs, and progress will consist of a slow but increasing predominance of ups over downs. One of the inevitable difficulties of the illness is to convey to the public a true picture neither overbrignt nor overdark. “It is for this reason, among others, that the courtesy of the Medical Press is valuable in order to convey through their readers to the public fuller information and thus avoid the risk of misunderstanding. “Regarding nourishment, tho difficulties will be understood when it is stated that there is a disinclination for most foods- and a dislike of many, weakness necessitating nourishment being given by a nurse with a feeder. An adequacy of nutriment, both in quantity and variety, is being secured, though not without difficulty. Moreover, the combating of the loss of weight, which has been notable, depends not only on the food taken, but on its being digested and assimilated. Here again exhaustion tells its tale. Transfusion Undesirable.

“The blood pressure had fallen too low and the calcium content of tho blood was lately considerably decreased. The administration of calcium, parathyroid extract, and strychnine was apparently beneficial. The same is true of ray-therapy, which is being continued. It need’ hardly be stated that the question of transfusion has received full consideration. Iu an illness of this complicated character, tho indications for transfusion must be clear. It should bo remembered with the most skilled procedure its employment in this case would entail risk. The striking results of transfusion in cases of anaemia, due either to haemorrhage or infection are apt to lead to its employment in other conditions with adequate consideration of the pros and cons. “It is sufficient to repeat that in this grave illness transfusion has been fully considered and put aside at the present stage as definitely undesirable. Moreover, the red blood count is one of the most hopeful features, for whereas in the early days of the illness it was as low as 2,900,000, to-day tho count has reached -1,300,000. Moreover, tho exhaustion is as much weariness of the mind as of body. Though there is an increasing sense of the burden of illness, the King’s will to livo is there. Owing to his exhaustion tho course must be long and for the present anxious. Nevertheless, improvement and progress are taking place slowly but surely, enough to justify the hope that the King will be rc- . stored to his peox>le.”

No Change in Past 24 Hours BAY THERAPY CONTINUED. LONDON, Jan. 3. It is semi-officially stated that although the doctors are unable to report any change in the King’s condition iu the past twenty-four hours, the situation is not unsatisfactory so long as au advanco follows. Drs. Howitt and Woods again applied ray therapy treatment, after discontinuing it for two days. The Prince of Wales dined with the Queen this evening. .Sir Stanley Hewctl stayed the night at the Palace. Spirit of Thankfulness Australian Press Association. Received Friday, 7.0 p.in. LONDON, Jan. 4. The Daily Telegraph states that the vholc nation will go about its business to-day iu a spirit of thankfuluess at the measure of hope provided by the

latest reviow of tho King’s illness, mingled with thankfulness, wonder and pride at the superb battle the King is waging in body and mind. The passing of the cloud may be delayed but the pcojde may now be permitted to bclievo it will ultimately lift. Whatever power the nations’ sympathy and deep-rooted affection may have to help His Majesty in the dire conflict is his in a degree unprecedented in the whole history of England.