KING S ILLNESS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16827, 14 December 1928, Page 7

KING S ILLNESS

NOT LOSING GROUND DOCTORS STILL ANXIOUS WEAKNESS AFTER OPERATION CONDITION SATISFACTORY (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.(Received Dec. 14, 11 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 13. An official message just before midnight that the condition of His Majesty gave rise to new hopes that he was on the road to recovery, although the way was long and difficult, created a general feeling of hopefulness among the public. This morning’s bulletin, however, signed by Sir Frederick Hewett, Sir Hugh Rigby, and Lord Dawson, and issued at 10.40 o’clock, was not quite so reassuring. It stated: — “The King had some sleep. His local condition is satisfactory. Weakness and toxaemia, are considerable but the pulse is steady. His Majesty is not losing ground.” Sir Hugh Rigby and Lord Dawson joined Sir Frederick Hewett at the Palace at 9.30 a.m. It is understood the considerable weakness mentioned in the morning’s bulletin is causing the doctors much anxiety, which may last another two days. The weakness, however, was expected as though the operation was a minor one, it was most serious in the circumstances. It is pointed out that toxaemia is a vague term applied to mild forms of blood poisoning. To'several forms due to micro-organisms entering the blood the word septicaemia is applied. OPERATION TAXES STRENGTH The operation, which Sir Hugh Rigby began at 7 o’clock proved a great tax on the King’s strength. It is not considered desirable in view of the severe strain that any members of the family should see the King during the evening. Sir Hugh Rigby operated on Prince George for appendicitis in 1922. Mr. Shipway is the chief anaesthetist at Guy’s Hospital, and is recognised both in Britain and on the Continent as one of the leading authorities on anaesthesia. ' The Prince of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of York left the Palace together at 11.15 after long conversa" tions with the doctors, wfio appeared in good spirits. Sir Frekerick Hewett remained all night as usual.

Sir Frederick Hewett and Lord Da-wson visited the King at 2.30 p.m. It is officially stated that His Majesty is progressing. The doctors remained for only half an hour, after which the Queen went for a drive. The Evening Standard diarist says: “I was informed late last night hy one intimately connected with the Royal entourage that for the 24 hours previously very little hope was entertained at the Palace, It is now an established fact that the King has had pneumonia with pleurisy, which, however, did not run its course. He then developed empyema, for which purpose an operation was possible for the first time since his illness.” A bulletin issued at 8.45 p.m. stated: ‘‘Though the King still suffers from exhaustion there is a slight improvement in his condition. The local condition remains satisfactory.” SPECIAL PRAYERS SAID. Princess Alary stated at a meeting of the League of Mercy: “You will be pleased to know that so far the condition of the King is satisfactory.” Special midday prayers for His Majesty were said in Westminster Abbey, a large and varied congregation, richest and poorest, kneeling side by side in silent prayer. The Prince of Wales lunched with the Queen. He is avoiding public engagements, and is remaining in London until the King definitely is on the road to recovery. The Daily Express, discussing the operation decided upon, said: “The severity of the operation on the King depends on whether it is necessary to remove any' portion of tire rib or ribs. The process is to enlarge the opening already made by a hollow needle and remove, if necessary, one or more ribs in order to allow the insertion of a tube large enough fo permit the escape of matter, and a tube is then inserted for draining purposes. It is usually left 10 days, according to the amount of infective matter. Cases have been known where the tube is retained for two or three months.”

The Daily Chronicle’s medical writer says: “Tg-'dav’s bulletin was the most encouraging since the gravity of the King’s condition was first recognised. During the past week there appears to have been a continual and rather sluggish ebb and flow, with nothing to indicate real progress. To-dav, we are in a different atmosphere, holding a definite promise towards recovery. This clear' atmosphere is created by the news that a fiesh puncture revealed the presence of fluid on the chest and located its exact position. A satisfactory feature of the situation is that the King’s powers of resistance should succeed in driving the microbie enemies into a pen where they can be treated without serious difficulty.” The same paper understands that tne King during the past fortnight has been undergoing diathermy treatment. Apparatus has been specially installed in l ,is bedroom. This consists of high frequency electrical treatment, which is passed into the patient’s body with an alternating current. This has the effect of stimulating the nervous system, and strengthening the heart.

PRINCE GEORGE’S RETURN (Australian an-1 N\Z. Press Association NEW YORK, Dec. 12. Prince George will arrive here to-mor-row morning from Bermuda on the Durban, and will proceed directly to hoard the liner Bercngaria, which sails at midnight for England. The State Department, upon advices received from the British Embassy, has made arrangements for proper officials to meet and escort the Prince to the pier. CAUGHT COLD SHOOTING LONDON. December 4. The Daily Mail understands tha.t the King caught a cold while duck-shooting in the Wolferton Marshes, near Sandringham, on November 17, during a

brief visit after Armistice Day. His Majesty was shivering when he returned home, but did not complain. He attended a service at Sandringham Church the next day, and returned to London on November 19. A bulletin on November 21 was the first indication of the illness. Wolferton Marshes is a wild, lonely, and exposed seaside tract, excellent for rough shooting, of which the King is very fond. It was here that lie learned that quickness with the gun for which he has been famous. Lord Dawson, who is vigorous and cheerful, radiates optimism and good spirits. His vitality is astonishing. When he left the Palace at 3.30 a.m. to-day after a day and a night of anxiety and responsibility that might have been expected to be exhausting, he seemed' fresh and unperturbed, as though he were just starting the day.

“SNIP” IS LONELY LONDON, December 4. A disconsolate figure at Buckingham Palace, according to the Daily News, is the King’s favorite dog and inseparable companion, “Snip,” a little grey: haired terrier. “Snip” wanders about dolefully and strongly objects to his exclusion from His Majesty’s room. He cannot understand why he is no longer able to follow his master all over the Palace. Princess NTary is sympathetically trying to comfort the forlorn dog. UNPRECEDENTED VIGIL LONDON, December 12. It is three weeks to-day since the announcement of the first news of the illness, and live days since the public appreciated its gravity, says the Manchester Guardian. Such a lengthy vigil at, the Palace is unprecedented in living memory. King Edward dined out on the Thursday, and he died on the Friday. Queen Victoria died three days after the announcement, of her illness.