HOPEFUL NEWS OF KING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20137, 24 December 1928, Page 9

HOPEFUL NEWS OF KING

{FAVOURABLE PROGRESS. ANXIETY FURTHER ALLAYED $0 MORNING BULLETIN. (JOOD EFFECT OX PUBLIC. MORE SEASONABLE FEELING J3v Telesraph—PreM Asscein lion—Copy r»,ht. Australian and N.Z. Press Association. (Received December OH. 5.5 p.m.) I,OX DON, Dec. 22. The following bulletin was issued at S p.m. this evening, signed by Sir Stanley Hewett, Lord Dawson of Pcnn and Sir Hugh Rigby : —- "His Majesty lias had a quiet day. The local and general conditions show a very slow although a favourable course." The evening bulletin said tho King had passed a quiet day, and his progress had not changed. These reports were regarded in Palace <«rcles as being satisfactory. Although the doctors were unable to report any notable progress, it means that II is Ma'estv is continuing to make slow pro- £ rPSS - , . . The violet ray treatment was adminisJered this evening. Lord Dawson and Sir Hu"h Itigbv consulted with Sir Stanlev Hewett for an hour. Sir Stanley continues to sleep at the Palace. The optimism was emphasised by the Announcement that no furtlier bulletin would bo issued until Sunday evening. For the first time since the King's illness became serious a distinct air of confidence was noticeable in the Palace yesterday evening. His Majesty's progress is verv slow, but this is expected. Condition Satisfies Doctors. The great anxiety of the past fortnight is now allayed to a very great extent. It is learned authoritatively that the doctors are satisfied with the developments which have taken place. If the [irogress continues • for another two or three days, it may be accepted that the King is on the high road to recovery. The medical statements published at ♦he fifth week-end of His Majesty's illness have enabled the public to realise how extreme were the perils through which the King has passed, and how slow and anxious was his passage. His Majesty is still by no means out of danger. The gradual improvement of the list few days must continue, however, to have, a cumulative effect, and must make itself felt, while the skilled solicitude with which he is attended is a guarantee against any avoidable setback. It is extremely fortunate that the cloud has lifted to this extent before Christmas, as business and pleasure were both considerably overshadowed in the. past month. Thev will not recover their Tiormal tide until tiic King enters on distinct convalescence, but already a rciirf in the public tension is perceptible. Early Danger of Infection. In referring to tho medical review of the King's case, the Observer says it is informativo. It says tho dangerous nature of the infection was clear to the doctors almost from the beginning, when the blood was found to contain streptococci, which are never dislodged from the blood stream without endangering the patient's life. At. the end of the second week the patient's condition deserved the name of pneumonia, but this would have misled the public, who associate it with the pneumococcus type of disease, which brings a crisis in 10 days. To medical men the state of the lung is secondary to the general septicemia. There were signs of severe bacterial poisoning, with a dusky appearance, and a dry. cracked tongue, and periods of delirium and exhaustion. '.I hen alter the C'pei at ion. which w;is necessary under the circumstance?, the general intectiim did not return. The exhaustion was inevitably still profound, ihe tune was passed lor uiairi.itic happenings ami providential rebels. Happily this state was more distressing to the bedside watchers than to the patient, who had no longer grate discomfort and pain to contend with. Under careful nursing and the occasional valuable stimulus of the ultra-violet rays, the King's strength gradually increased. KING AND PEOPLE. FESTIVITIES AT CHRISTMAS. DESIRE FOR OBSERVANCE. (Received December 2". 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. Dec. 22. It is stated in Government circles that King George and Queen Mary desire that their subjects will not allow the King s illness to diminish tho customary happiness of Christmas, as His Majesty is now making steady, if slow, progress. It is His Majesty's desire that public flud private festivities shall proceed as usual. A formal message to this effect niav be issued before Christmas Day. SONS RETURN HOME. PRINCE GEORGE AT PALACE. BROTHER EXPECTED TO-DAY. A .Mralian and N.Z. Pi ess Association. LONDON, Dec. 21. Prime. Gcorcte, who has returned from TWiuud.i naval station, reached Buckingham Palace at 6.15 p.m. and iett later in the evening. His train was 20 minutes late, owing to fog. The Luke of Gloucester will reach Southampton on Christmas Kve. 1L is expected that ho will go by motor car to London, and will stay at the Palace. Slices of Prince George's birthday cake sold by auction on tho Berengaria, in which he crossed from New lurk, and £lOBl was realised for the Distressed Manners' Fund. On his arrival at Cherbourg Prince George declined an offer by Imperial Airways. Limited, to take him to Southampton by air.