HIS MAJESTY’S STRENGTH DWINDLED AWAY

Northern Advocate, 21 January 1936, Page 5

HIS MAJESTY’S STRENGTH DWINDLED AWAY

Overtaxed Himself In Nation’s Service [United Press Association.—By'Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.] (Received 11 a.m.) LONDON, January 20. BULLETIN issued ; at 5.30 p.m., said that the King’s condition showed diminishing strength. The bulletin was signed by Sir Frederick Williams, Sir Stanley Hewett and Lord Dawson of Penn. Coming at the end of an anxious day, it created considerable alarm, as it was the most serious since Friday, indicating the doctors’ fear that His Majesty’s reserve strength was being taxed. BULLETIN AT 9.30. V “The King’s life is moving peacefully towards its close.— (Signed): Sir Frederick Williams, Sir Stanley' Hewett, and Lord Dawson of Penn.” V- ..v, i It had been learned at 3.30' a.m, that His Majesty had had several hours’ restful sleep. His condition was then unchanged, as was the case two hours earlier, and at !• a.m. The Sandringham correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” reported that His Majesty had held his own for 36 hours. A bulletin issued at Sandringham at" 7.45 p.m. yesterday stated that the King had passed a quiet day, with no change in his condition. The bulletin was signed by Lord Dawson, Sir Frederick Williams, and Sir Stanley Hewett. The fact that the King was maintaining his strength, as was announced yesterday, showed that he was resisting Saturday’s increased weakness. A message stated that the King had had several hours’ sleep. REASON FOR DOCTORS’ANXIETY. y The medical correspondent of “The Times” points out that, while the King’s illness was not a rescrudescence of that of seven years ago, that illness also must.be borne in mind, since His Majesty’s recovery, though complete, entailed a heavy draft on his recuperative powers, which could not be easily regained. The pi-evalence of influenze throughout the country added to the doctors’ anxiety. The King’s illness, also, had occurred in mid-winter, when respiratory diseases are always prevalent. Moreover, the recent death of the King’s sister appeared to have limited the range of his efforts. In order to preclude the slightest strain on His Majesty’s digestion, and to avoid taxing his heart, he had had no'solid food for three days. He had been subsisting on a carefully devised diet of warm liquid at frequent intervals in small quantities, including barley water, arrowroot, lemon juice, beef tea and a special supply of milk from ..dairies on the Royal Estate. Early today, the doctors expressed the opinion that the King’s static condition might persist for several days, but the evening examination showed a slow weakening, which one in close touch with Court circles described as “a general slowing up of the bodily machine.” • His Majesty, since Friday, had fought hard against encroaching weakness, but the bulletin indicated that he was losing ground. The King, however, did not suffer pain. OVERTAXED HIMSELF. The weight of medical opinion is that the King has overtaxed himself in the nation’s service, says the “Mirror.” “If the King had been simply a rich man, he would have spent the last five or six winters out of England. No doubt, the Royal physicians advised this, but His Majesty overrode his doctors, because he realised the country was passing through trouble, in which a wise mediating influence would make all the difference.” A doctor told an interviewer: “When I listened to the King’s broadcast on Christmas Day, I knew it was the voice of a chronic bronchitis subject. I was horrified when he, . risked the English climate, when such symptoms were apparent, even to a practitioner who had never examined him.” The “Daily'Express says that one in close touch with the King traces his illness to Christmas Day. The King, after his broadcast, was unable to participate in the festivities, and remained in his room throughout the holiday. No word concerning his indisposition was allowed to mar the family’s enjoyment. His health did not cause further uneasiness till January 12, when members of the Royal Family in the same pew at the morning service had occasion for anxiety. The King refused to rest, and, after lunch, insisted on inspecting the horses on his Sandringham farm after which he was exhausted.