PROGRESS NOTED

Southland Times, Issue 20669, 15 December 1928, Page 7

PROGRESS NOTED

The King’s Condition STILL SUFFERING FROM EXHAUSTION PNEUMONIA AND PLEURISY BRIEF VISIT BY DOCTORS (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) London, December 13. A bulletin Issued at 8.45 p.m. stated: — "Though the King still suffers from exhaustion there is a slight improvement in his condition. His local condition remains satisfactory.” Sir Stanley Hewett and Lord Daweon visited the King at 2.30. It is officially stated that his Majesty is progressing. The doctors remained only half an hour, after which the Queen went for her customary drive. Princess Mary 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.” The Evening Standard’s diarist says: “I was informed late last night by one intimately connected with the Royal entourage that for 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 which was the purpose of the operation.” For the first time since his illness special mid-day prayers for his Majesty were said in the Abbey, a large and varied congregation of the richest and the poorest kneeling side by side in silent prayer. The Prince of Wales lunched with the Queen. He is now avoiding public en gagements and is remaining in London until the King is definitely on the road to recovery. . Encouraging Signs. Sir Stanley Hewett, Lord Dawson, Sir Hugh Rigby. Sir Farquhar Buzzard and Sir William Hodgson arrived at the palace at seven, and the bulletin was issued 75 minutes later. 'Though brief, it conveys the welcome news that there is a slight improvement in the King’s general condition. The exhaustion referred to was to be expected and is in nowise alarming, though there is necessarily still an anxious aspect. An eminent authority, commenting on to-night's bulletin, said: "It is as good as we could get. The fact that the King is safely through 24 hours ie a very good thing. The immediate danger after such an operation is shock. Fortunately there is nothing like that. The outlook now has completely changed; the fact that the King is ever such a little better is very hopeful.” A British medical journal, introducing an authoritative review, says: “The bulletins have kept the public informed with commendable frankness. Local signs on the chew are general symptoms of the patient’s reaction to the strain of a very severe and exhausting infection. They have recorded the fluctuations of an extremely virulent malady which would have taxed the strength of a young man of powerful phyaque.”

The Lancet says: "The position is so far satisfactory. Those conversant with the course of the symptoms and their significance in these cases will recognize that we have here the foundation for a renewal of legitimate hopes.” A leading surgeon told the Evening Standard that had the case not resolved itself from medical into surgical it would have been hopeless. Now that it is a surgical curative something could be done and by the end of 24 hours after the operation the heart should be showing distinct signs of relief if all is going well. If the King has enough strength to see through a fewmore days then he should recover well. He will have been saved by the operation for empyema, whose c peration results statistically are very good.—Australian Press Association. A SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT. SEVERE STRAIN ON STRENGTH. ANXIETY NOT YET REMOVED. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) London, December 13. It is authoritatively stated that his Majesty has lost no ground. It is considered by the doctors that he has in fact progressed. There must, however, continue to be anxiety in the immediate future regarding his strength. Nevertheless the doctors are gratified that the King has thus far not only held his own, but actually there is some slight improvement. This is almost more than was expected under the circumstances. As long as exhaustion becomes no worse there is every hope that the effects of the operation will be successfully overcome. The condition at the actual seat of the operation is satisfactory. It is stated that no significance is attached to the presence of Sir William Hodgson. Neither he nor Sir Farquhar Buzzard, who was also at the palace, signed the bulletin. The Prince of Wales lunched with the Queen. He and the Duke and Duchess of York dined with the Queen. The Prince of Wales’s future plans are uncertain, but it is definite that he will be in I«ondon until the King is on the road to recovery. Meanwhile, he will not undertake public engagements. The Duke of York and he played a strenuous game of squash racquets this afternoon. The Duke of York’s 33rd birtehday to-morrow will be very quiet. It is expected that he and the Duchess will dine at the palace. He has cancelled an engagement to attend the farmers' union dinner at Northampton on Saturday. Throughout the King’s illness shoals of letters from throughout the world have poured into the palace. To-day, following the operation, the number was greater than ever. Many were addressed to the Queen conveying sympathy. Most were addressed to the doctors containing advice from those who had recovered from similar illnesses. Many homely remedies were also delivered to the Duke of York and the Prince of Wales. The Prince of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of York left the palace shortly before midnight. Sir Farquhar Buzzard and Sir William Hodgson left at 8.30 and Lord Dawson and Sir Hugh Rigby followed shortly after. Sir Stanley Hewett is again staying on throughout the night.— Australian Press Association. EXTENT OF THE OPERATION. SPECULATION IN LONDON. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) London, December 13. In the absence of any authoritative statement in the bulletins or otherwise, there is still doubt as to actual extent of the

operation. One well-informed source states that it involved the removal of a small section of rib to facilitate drainage. On the other hand the Daily Express states that it was found unnecessary to cut into the rib. A small incision was found adequate for the insertion of a tube. The Daily Express states that the Royal Family are entirely satisfied with the condition of the King’s health to-night. There was great anxiety at the palace last night due to the doubt whether the heart was strong enough to stand the operation. It was explained to both the Queen and the Prince of Wales that if the operation was not performed toxaemia would in all probability be fatal. It was ultimately decided that the operation, dangerous as it was, was the only alternative. The Daily Express’s medical correspondent describes the bulletin as satisfactory. It cannot be expected that recovery will be rapid. A pleasant feature is that there is no mention of heart weakness. MESSAGE FROM MR COOLIDGE. Washington, December 13. President Coolidge cabled King George: "I am greatly pleased to learn of the distinct improvement in your Majesty's health, and trust that your complete convalescence will now be but a matter of a short time.” —Australian Press Association. SOUTHLAND CHILDREN. MOTION OF SYMPATHY. At yesterday’s meeting of the Southland Education Board the following resolution of sympathy was carried on the motion of Mr J. C. Thomson, seconded by Major Rice:—"That this board convey to the Minister of Education for presentation to his Excellency the Governor-General, an expression of the sincere sympathy of the school children of Southland with the Royal Family in the illness of his Majesty King George and express the hope that, in the providence of God he will soon be restored to health and strength.”