WORSE NEWS OF KING

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 548, 28 December 1928, Page 1

WORSE NEWS OF KING

Disinclined for Nourishment

STRENGTH NOT MAINTAINED

Pulse Continues Steady (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and. K.Z. Press Association,) (United Service) Reed. 11.15 a.m. LONDON, Thursday. A BULLETIN issued at 8.20 p.m. stated: “During to-day the King’s condition has not been so satisfactory. There has been a disinclination to take nourishment, and his strength is being less well maintained. His pulse remains steady.”

The optimism of tile past few days received a distinct check with to-night’s unsatisfactory announcement from the Palace. The bulletin had a disquieting effect at the Palace. There is a less confident feeling. It is known that some disappointment has been caused by the very slight character of the progress made over Cliristmastlde. The doctors have all along emphasised that progress must be very slow; but now it is possible to state that the rate of progress is even slower than was anticipated. Several times the bulletins have stated that the King’s condition was the same, meaning ti 4 t for the moment there was no imprpvement. To-niglit’s bulletin indicates that his Majesty has now had a definite check. This, in his very weakened condition, necessarily becomes a matter of some concern. NOURISHMENT DIFFICULTY The chief difficulty latterly has been to get the King to take nourishment. This has been administered in the most concentrated form, while for some tipie the main features of the diet were raw eggs. The statement that the pulse remains steady is hot altogether a reassuring sign, It means that while the

doctors are momentarily satisfied, they are watching the future with great attention. The issue of the bulletin preceded unusually close attendance by the doctors. For the first time since Sunday, Dr. Howitt and Dr. Woods administered ray treatment. To-night Sir Stanley Hewett, Lord Dawson of Penn, and Sir Hugh Rigby were in consultation an hour and ahalf. Lord Dawson had been at the Palace for 90 minutes in the morning, and again for a long time in the afternoon. He remained with Sir Stanley Hewett after Sir Hugh Rigby’s departure at 8.30. There will be a morning bulletin to-morrow, in addition to the evening one. The Royal dinner party included the toast of the King. As Queen Mary was unable to see Princess Betty on Christmas Day an intimate little tea party was held at the Palace to-day for the little princess’s sole benefit. She brought a doll which the Queen gave her as a Christmas present, which was duly installed in a chair between the Queen and the Princess. As soon as the child had excitedljrecounted the list of her presents her first inquiry was: “How’s Grandpa? Is his cold better?”