KING SLIGHTLY BETTER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20132, 18 December 1928, Page 11

KING SLIGHTLY BETTER

I?; QUIET DAY PASSED.

BAY TREATMENT APPLIED.

TJLTRA-YIOLET LIGHT.

SPECIALISTS AT PALACE.

SOME PROGRESS REPORTED « J3y Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Koceived December 17, 7.5 p.m.) British Wireless. - RUGBY. Deo. 16. At Buckingham Palace this evening Dr. R. S Woods and Dr. Frank Howitt, the two experts on ray-therapy, attended a consultation with Sir Hugh Rigby. tho surgeon who performed the operation on the King, Sir Stanley Hewett, and Lord Dawson of Pcnn. Tho following bulletin was issued at 8 p.m ; " The King has had a quiet day, and tho improvement in His Majosty's condition noted this morning has been maintained." The bulletin was signed by Sir Stanley Hewett, Sir Hugh Rigby and Lord Dawson. At the Palace tho bulletin is regarded as reassuring. The fact that there is an improvement in His Majesty's condition after the restless night, indicates -that the King has still a good reserve of strength with which to continue his fight against the general infection. It is regarded as satisfactory that the temperature and pulse were not mentioned The doctors consulted for an hour and ahalf before issuing tho bulletin. The Duke and Duchess of York called at the Palace and accompanied the Queen, Princess Mary and Viscount Lascelles to a service at the chapel. Hopeful Feeling at Palace.

A Press Association message says the bulletin is regarded as being the most hopeful issued for some days. It particularly indicates a shado of progress in the right direction, to quote an authoritative expression of opinion from the Palace.

Coupled with tliis morning's bulletin it has given riso to a more optimistic outlook, iu spito of definite knowledge of the arduous, struggle that is inovitably ahead of tho King. The first application of the raytherapy treatment "was given this evening just before the issue of the bulletin. Although it was administered by the experts, Dr. Howitt and Dr. Woods, they did not sign the bulletin. It is stated that they will not sign any future bulletins.

Lord Dawson paid a brief visit to the Palace this afternoon, and returned at 6.30 p.m. accompanied by Dr. Howitt and Dr.,. Woods. The three doctors held a consultation with Sir Stanley Hewett, and later on the ray treatment was given. Dr. Howifct and Dr. Woods left tho Palace at 7 p.m. Queen Welcomed by Public. His Majesty slept for some time in the afternoon, and tho Queen was able to leave tho Palace. She had luncheon with the Duke and Duchess of York at their Piccadilly residence. Later she went for a short drive and was welcomed by the crowds on her return to the Palace. " The Prince of Wales called at the Palace this morning and returned in the and left after he had heard the latest report. Tho use of the ultra-violet ray on the King is the greatest single piece of recognition yet given to electro-therapy. The growth of light healing is one of the outstanding developments in medical science, in which British doctors are in the forefront. -

The finest ultra-violet ray apparatus in the world is possessed by the Light Clinic. Tho authorities forthwith offered it to the King's physicians as soon as it was realised that the system was being called to aid in the fight. The apparatus is easily portable, and is placed on a stand beside the bed and connected to the ordinary light circuit. System of Kay Treatment.

When the treatment was given at the Palace to-day, while the King's chest and back were bared, both the doctors wore dark glasses, as the effects of the rays on the naked eye are injurious. The ray treatment usually begins with one short application a day. Tho chest or back is exposed for half a minute only. 'The following exposure may be for a minute, tho third for two minutes, or alternatively two applications a day each of one minute. It is necessary to allow tho patient gradually to grow accustomed to the ray. as an application for longer than half a minute at the beginning would produce the equivalent of a severe sunburn. The treatmont usually soothes the patient, and gives a feeling of well-being. Many persons frequently ask for longer applications, because they induce a sensation of returning strength. It is this effect of giving a greater jower of resistance which the doctors hope to create. The value of tho treatment in cases of empyema has been proved tenfold. Evidently the doctors resorted to it as a result of the knowledge gained by the operation.

False Euniour Negatived.

Tho medical correspondent of tho Daily Chronicle says it is noteworthy that the tonic ultra-violet rays are harmful in cases of consumption. There has been a suggestion that underlying the empyema from which His Majesty is suffering, there might be a focus of tuberculosis. This is definitely negatived by tho use of tho rays. If there were a suspicion of tuberclo the rays would not be used. The London Light Clinic 'was founded two years ago, by the aid of gifts exceeding £200,000 from an anonymous philanthropist.' A famous specialist informed the Daily Express that only experts can administer the ray. Excep : tionallv good results have been achieved in combating the effect of infection, as well a;j in i reviving tho general strength * ©f patients. " The ray. acts on the blood through the skin, and stimulates the blood. resist- - ance. Its .qualities have the. recuperative - effect of strong sunlight, and raise the Jvhola tone of the system.