EXHAUSTION PERSISTENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20131, 17 December 1928, Page 11

EXHAUSTION PERSISTENT.

RESULT OF INFECTION.

TEN DOCTORS AT PALACE.

ANXIETY STILL EMPHASISED. Australian Press Association—United Service (Received December 16. 0.5 p.m.) LONDON, Dec IG. Tljo following bulletin was issued nt Buckingham Palaco at 11 a.m. yesterday by llio King's doctors, Sir Stanley Hewett, Lord Dawson of Pcnn ond Sir Hugh Rigby:—

His Majesty has had several hours' sloop.' Tho local condition so far is satisfactory. There has been no increase in the exhaustion, and tho King's pulso remains steady. Another bulletin was issued at 7.30 p.m. as follows:—" His Majesty has had a quiet day with somo sleep. Although his pulso remains steady, and tho fever is now moderate, the exhaustion persists. It has been decided to employ ray-therapy as part of tho treatment." Tho morning bulletin was regarded at the Palaco as favourable, and as justifying the hope expressed last night that the less satisfactory condition prevailing was only ono of the fluctuations to be expected in the course of the illness. Last night's sleep has been beneficial and probably contributed to tho maintenance of the King's strength, which with the steadiness of tho pulso is ( otto of the most reassuring features of tho bulletin. Consultation with Prince. The doctors had a long consultation in tho afternoon with tho Prince of Wales and Lord Dawson left the Palaco at 3 o'clock. Queen Mary did not go for her usual drive. Princess Mary cancelled her engagement for to-day at Windsor and stayed at the Palaco. She did this because, as tho Dean of Windsor, tho Very Rov. A. V. Baillio, said, " tho condition of tho King is very grave. f The Princess does not care to bo away very long from tho Palace. But she does not want you to think that there is anything seriously worse at tho moment." An eminent London specialist, commenting on tho second bulletin, says: " I presume the doctors mean ultra-violet ray treatment. I know this has been under consideration. Tho effect is a general tonic. It also acts in such a way as to destroy bacteria. It increases tho bacterial resistance of the blood, and also would tend to promote tho healthy healing of tho wound after tho operation. Tonic Effect of Treatment.

" I take it that in this case the doctors are going to use it for its tonic effect, and to neutralise the infection."

The evening bulletin was generally regarded as being satisfactory under tho circumstances. It is oven stated from a usu ally reliahle source that the King's condition is such that thcro is uo causo for immediate anxiety. I{ay-therapy is simply a new method in tho long and difficult struggle that tho doctors aro waging. Tho King's exhaustion, this authority says, is the result of the poisoning from tho general infection. The fact that His Majesty had a quiet day and that the fever was moderating, was regarded as reassuring. It is recognised that there are still many difficulties to bo faced.

Dr. Howitt and Dr. Woods left the Palace about 8.30 p.m.. Lord Dawson and Sir Hugh Rigby followed shortly afterwards. Sir Stanley stayed • behind.

With a brief break of about half-an-hour Sir Stanley, Lord Dawson, Dr. Howitt and Dr. Woods were in consultation for about four hours. The calling in of Dr. Howitt and Dr. Woods makes 10 doctors who are in attendance on His Majesty. These are Sir- Stanley Hewett, Lord Dawson, Sir Farquhar Buzzard, Sir Humphrey Rolleston, Sir William Hodgson, the radiologist, >ir Ilugh Rigby, the surgeon, Mr. Shipway s the anaesthetist, Mr. L. E. Whitby the bacteriologist, and Dr. Howitt and Dr. Woods, the ray-therapy experts. Thero are also six nurses in attendance. A curious error arose in connection with the name of ono of tho new doctors. The name was at first given out as Dr. William Howitt. Tho newspapers ascertained that thero was a doctor of that name in Nottingham, but ho is still there. Then it was thought to bo his brother, Dr. Alfred Howitt. But eventually it proved to be neither of_ them, but Dr. Frank Howitt. Danger of Haart Failing. A usually well-informed authority writing in the News of tho World says: "The danger is that tho King's heart may fail. Tho doctors have had a most anxious arid trying time, which has been made rnoro so by suggestions from learned and unlearned persons. The Queen, on tho other hand, has never bothered the doctors. " It is a comploto misapprehension to think that tho King has been worried by tho numerous medical examinations by several doctors. This is not tho caso. The symptoms aro well understood, and, as is customary, liavo beou discussed by the doctors in conference.

" Tho X-ray photographs of tho King aro somo of tho best ever taken of a patient when lying in bed. The King has been delirious off and on. Ho recognised tho Prince of Wales and greeted him with tho remark: 4 Well David, how many lions did you shoot?" It is felt that tho timo has not arrived for optimism regarding tho King's condition. The success of tho operation has been regarded by tho public as tho turn-ing-point of tho illness, but every authoritative statement, including official warnings from tho Palace, stresses the anxiety which is still felt.

Last evening's bulletin did not lessen tho anxiety. This said that the King had had a somewhat disturbed day, and that his general condition was not quite satisfactory. The pulse, however, remained steady. This report was felt to bo definitely not to tho good. Nevertheless, it was learned authoritatively that a slight retardation in the King's progress found the doctors quite prepared. During tho long strugglo ahead other such fluctuations may occur. Tho fact that the pulse remained steady saved tho situation from being a serious one, but anxiety must definitely continue until it can bo known whether the King's strength is sufficient to banish the microbes.

Although much noxious matter has been removed from the body, there are still risks to be faced. The conflict between tho general infection and the King's strength will continue. .