ILLNESS OF THE KING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20113, 26 November 1928, Page 9

ILLNESS OF THE KING.

[WHOLE EMPIRE ANXIOUS

SUBJECTS DEEPLY MOVED.

OPTIMISM OF PHYSICIANS.

REASSURING BULLETINS.

r ALL PRECAUTIONS TAKEN.

Br Teleßrapb—Press Association—Copyright Australian Press Association-United Service

(Received November 21, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. Nov. 2J A bulletin issued at 12.45 p.rn yesterday stated that tho King bad passed a restless night, his temperature remaining at 101. There was a slight extension of tho mischief in the lung, but His Majesty j strength was maintained. r lio Royal physicians. Lord Dawson of Penn and Sir Stanley Howett, reached the Pahco at 10 a.m and there was some surprise .it tho bulletin not being issued until 12 43 p.m. Later it was reported that in spite of a somewhat less roassur ing bulletin, it was understood that- the Palace household was not. unduly anxious and tha* the K'ng was quite cheerful.

Tn tho afternoon His Majesty obtained some rest. Ho is in charge of skilled nurses, another of v> horn arrived yesterday. Tho crowd outside tho Palaco was thinned by persistent rain. Recauso of the wet weather the military guard was changed without music. This is in accordance with tho custom in bad weather.

Last evening a bulletin said the King had passed a quieter clay and his ternporntum was lower. The mischief in tho lung had not extended. Universal Solicitude for King. Lat last night the King's physicians visited tho Palaco again and a distinguished bacteriological specialist carried i>ut thc> bacteriological investigations which are customary in all cases of microbic infection. It was decided last night that in order that there might be a completo investigation into tho illness from which His Majesty is suffering, au examination by X-ray should bo mado.

Every jthei interest in tho United Kingdom nas receded before the solicitude of all classes for His Majesty's health. This fact was best illustrated by tho constant coming and going of crowds of pooplu outsido Buckingham Palace yesterday. Every incident was recorded in frequent editions of tho newspapers.

Tht official announcements were couched in language lcx.t likely to arouse alarm, l'or cxarnplo it was stated that Princess Mary wns coming to keep her mother company and that tho Duko of York had come from Naseliy and remained for threequarters of an hour in tho King's room. Tho Duko is to return to Naseby to-day Word Sent to Prince of Wales. Tho l'rinco of Wales, who throughout his African tour has been in regular communication with tho Palace, has been told of his father's condition, but no message has been sent calculated to shorten his lour Tho Queen of Spain called at the Palace nnd had tea with Queen Mary and Princess Victoria, tho latter remaining for some time. After Lord Dawson had seen tho King at mid-day yesterday, ho remained to luncheon with a high official at the Palace. Later in the afternoon he allayed tho anxiotv which his second visit might havo aroused by saying that though His Majesty's illness was serious it was not to he regarded as being in any way alarming. The German Ambassador was one of the earliest callers at tho Palace, also at tho Foreign Office, to inquiro about the King's condition. He conveyed his Government's earnest hope for His Majesty's speedy recovery. A message from Paris says tho wholo of tho French papers show tho greatest solicitude and sympathy for the King in his illness. The? emphasise that tho people's deep affection for him is exemplified by tho crowds outside tho Palace. Night Bulletin Produces Optimism. The special X-ray apparatus used for the examination of tho King was taken unostentatiously to tho Palace yesterday and the examination was carried out with considerable secrecy. Only those most closely in touch woro aware that it was going on. Tho task presented considerable difficulty as it- was dono whilo the King was lying ic hod Experts from the principal X-ray conlro in London supervised the delicate and difficult installation of tho apparatus. Lord Dawson and Sir Stanley Howett were in attendance. Tho full results, it was announced, would not bo known immediately, but thero were grounds for tho belief that the King s advisers were well satisfied with his con<Jit ion.

The improved tone of tlie night bulletin led to ;i more optimistic atmosphere in the Palace, which was conveyed instantly to the Queen and the Duke of York. Then it was transmitted to other members of the Royal Family. Members of the Royal circle and tho personal staff then prepared to retire with tho assurance that His Majesty's condition was distinct ly less serious. Lord Dawson found himself able to fulfil a private engagement last evening. Inquiries from All Parts ol Empire. Just before midnight last riight it was stated that the X-ray examination was purely for purposes of diagnosis, and was not to be regarded in any way indicative of a disturbing condition. An eminent physician, discussing the matter, said the King's condition showed that his illness was pursuing a normal course. This condition probably would fluctuate for about seven days, but there was no cause for real alarm

The lung mischief was congestion, said the physician, but the fact that the congestion had extended slightly need not cause alarm. It was a condition which might vary every hour.

Tho mail at Buckingham Palace yesterday was unusually heavy. It contained letters from all parts of the country and from pcoplo of every class, wishing tho King a speedy recovery. Many tolegrams and cablegrams wero received from every part of tho Empire.

It- was authoritatively stated at Buckingham Palace at midnight that tho King was continuing to make satisfactory pro-