SLIGHT CHANGE FOR BETTER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18639, 17 December 1928, Page 5

SLIGHT CHANGE FOR BETTER.

KING’S CONDITION SHOWS IMPROVEMENT. (United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright./ LONDON. December 16. A bulletin issued at 11 a.m., signed by Sir Stanley Hewett, Sir Hugh Rigby and Lord Dawson, said: — “In spite of a restless night, his Majesty’s general condition has slightly improved.” EXHAUSTION PERSISTS, BUT PULSE STEADY. LONDON, December 15. A bulletin issued at eleven this morning, signed by Sir Hugh Rigby, Sir Stanley Hewett and Lord Dawson, stated:— The King had several hours’ sleep. His local condition thus far is satisfactory. There has no increase in the exhaustion, and the pulse remains steady. Another bulletin, issued at i .30 this evening, stated: “His Majesty had a quiet day, with some sleep. Though the pulse remains steady and the fever is now moderate, the exhaustion persists. It has been decided to employ ray therapy as a part of the treatment. The morning bulletin is regarded at the Palace as favourable, justifying a hope expressed last night that the less satisfactory condition prevailing is only one of the fluctuations to be expected in the course of the illness. Last night’s sleep has been beneficial, and probably contributed to maintenance of the King’s strength, which, with the steadiness of the pulse, is one of the most reassuring features of the bulletin. The doctors had a long afternoon consultation with the Prince of Wales, and Lord Dawson left the Palace at three o’clock. The Queen did not go for her usual drive. Princess Mary cancelled to-day s engagement at Windsor and will remain at the Palace. Situation Still Anxious. The fourth week-end of the King’s illness finds the situation still very anxious, as it was on the previous three, yet the illness has undergone many changes and developments. The public is buoyed with hope one day and reduced to grave anxiety on the following day. The bulletin is the surest index of the position. When a bad bulletin is issued the anxious crowd outside the Palace grows to thousands. The general poisoning of the whole blood system, which was so alarming at the first stage, has slowly localised itself to a collection of noxious matter affecting the lung, for which the operation was performed. Such an operation, as already pointed out, if successful, is often followed by twentyfour hours’ rapid and marked improvement, due to the relief experienced. Lord Dawson and Sir Hugh Rigby left the Palace at 8.15 last night, having stayed for an hour. Sir Stanley Hewett remained on. The Prince of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of York dined with the Queen and left the Palace at 11 p.m. Two additional physicians, Dr Robert Stanton Woods and Dr Frank Howitt, have been called to the Palace. It is announced officially from the Palace that the King does not wish his illness to. interfere in any way with the Christmas party to 600 disabled soldiers, for which the King lent the riding school at the Palace. Labour Leader’s Tribute. “I would like to say how all have been moved by the King’s illness,” said Mr Ramsay MacDonald, leader of the Labour Party, at a dinner to-night. “Sympathy is not a question of sycophancy with those who have the great pleasure of knowing the King personally. We know how sincerely devoted to duty, with constitutional impartiality, he is, and we realise when he is walking through the dark shadows how extraordinarily well his Majesty has always done his work, and how in doing it he has knit us to him, not as an official or a dignified head of the State, but as one who belongs to the nation. He has tried all his life in all his actions to carry out his national responsibility and to advance the national interests. There is not a member of the old Labour Cabinet who would not join me in prayer for his complete recovery.”—Australian Press Association.

PRINCESS REMAINS NEAR FATHER.

TWO MORE DOCTORS CALLED IN; RAY THERAPY BEING TRIED. LONDON, December 15. Princess Mary cancelled her visit to Windsor because, in the Dean’s words, “the condition of the King is very grave and she does not care to be away over long from the Palace. However, she does not want you to think that there is any serious movement for the worse.” The most important development today was the summoning of two additional doctors, who arrn ed at 3.30, left at 5,30 and then returnee within half an hour. These comings a.id goings are partiv explainable by inlormation from the Palace that the doctors were waiting for some hours to see the King, but, as his Majesty was sleeping in the afternoon, they decided to let the invaluable sleep aid their fight and did not interrupt him. Lord Dawson remained at the Palace for the whole afternoon and had a long consultation with Sir Stanley Hewett. The Prince of Wales awaited the conclusion of the conference, after which the newcomers arrived. Dr Woods is an eminent electrologist and radioligist. and is in charge of the department of physical medicine and electrology at the London Hospital, lie is part author of “Pericarditis with Effusion.” Dr Howitt is an eminent Harley Street specialist, chief clinical assistant in the therapy department at Guy’s Hospital, physician in charge of the physio-therapy and massage departments at the Prince of Wales Hospital, Tottenham, and part author of “Observations on Light Sensitisation.” There was no surprise, therefore, when the bulletin revealed the adoption of a new method of attack, w’ith the names of Dr Woods and Dr Howitt, who are the best known experts on ray therapy treatment. Object of Ray Therapy Treatment. The science of ray therapy has made great strides since the discovery of the medical value of X-rays and the introduction of radium, particularly in connection with the destruction of diseased tissue. It has therefore played a

great part in the treatment of cancer as an accessory to surgical treatment. It is now possible to enable the healing work of the rays to operate at a considerable depth by the insertion of minute capillar} l- glass or gold tubes containing radium emanation, by means of surgical needles. It is understood that the ray therapy will be directed in the King’s case chiefly against the general infection. An eminent London specialist, commenting on the bulletin, said: “I presume that the doctors mean ultra-vio-let ray treatment. It is known that this has been under consideration. The effect is that of a general tonic, and it also acts in such a way as to destroy bacteria. It increases the bacterial resistance of the blood, and would also tend to promote healthy healing of the wound after the operation. I take it that in this case the doctors are going to use it for tonic effect and to neutralise the infection.” “ No Cause for Immediate Anxiety.” The night bulletin is generally regarded as satisfactory in the circumstances. It is even stated, from usually reliable source, that the King's condition is such that there is no cause for immediate anxiety. Ray therapy is simply a new method in the long and difficult struggle which the doctors are waging. The exhaustion is the result of poisoning from the general infection. The fact that his Majesty had a quiet day, the fever moderating, is regarded as reassuring. It is recognised that there are still many difficulties to face. Dr Howitt and Dr Woods left the Palace about 8.30 in. the evening. Lord Dawson and Sir Hugh Rigby followed shortly afterwards, Sir Stanley Hewett staying on. With a brief break of about half an hour , Sir Stanley Hewett, Lori Dawson, Dr Howitt and Dr Woods were in consultation for about four hours. Ten Doctors. The calling in of Dr Howitt and Dr Woods makes ten doctors in attendance on His Majesty—Sir Stanley Hewett, Lord Dawson, Sir Farquhar Buzzard, Sir Humphrey Rolleston, Sir William Hodgson (radiologist), Sir Hugh Rigby (surgeon). Dr Shipway (anaethetist), Dr, Whitby (bacteriologist), Dr Howitt and Dr Woods (ray therapy experts). There are also six nurses. There was a curious error in connection with one of the new doctor’s names. At first it was given as Dr William Howitt. A newspaper ascertained that the doctor bearing that name was at Nottingham. Then it was thought that it was his brother, Dr Alfred How’itt, but eventually it w r as proved to be neither, but Dr Frank Howitt. It was learned shortly before midnight that the Kng’s condition showed no change since the bulletin. The Prince of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of York dined at the Palace and left about eleven o’clock. At midnight it was learned that the King was having a restful night, with some sleep. During the half hour’s absence referred to earlier Dr Woods and Dr Howitt procured the requisite appliances. These were adjusted with the aid of the Palace electrician. In connection with Princess Mary’s recall, she is a trained nurse. All Resources of Medical Science. The doctors have now marshalled all the resources of medical science on behalf of the patient—bacteriology, radiology, surgery, oxygen and electrotherapy. The last mentioned is now frequently used to help the heart in addition to the other purposes indicated. Gene Tunney’s Sympathy. There was an impressive scene at the Marine Barracks at Portsmouth, when the ex-champion boxer, Gene Tunney who is a captain in the United States naval reserve, before presenting a football cup from Ameriaan naval officers and men, said: “I would like to ask the privilege to bow my head in prayer for the speedy recovery of your King.” The whole assemblage followed suit for two minutes. In response to a message from the Boy Scout Association, on behalf of the movement throughout the Empire, the Queen replied with thanks and an assurance that the King appreciated the good wishes, Danger That Heart May Fail. A usually well-informed writer In the “News of the World” says:—"The danger is thaf the heart may fail. Sir Stanley Hewett has had a most anxious and trying time, made more so by suggestions from learned and unlearned people. The Queen, on the other hand, never fussed the doctors. It is a complete misapprehension that the King has been worried by numerous medical examinations by numerous doctors. This is not the case. The symptoms are well understood and, as customary, have been discussed by the doctors in conference. The ray photographs of ths King are some of the best ever taken of a patient when lying in bed. The King has been delirious off and on. He recognised the Prince of Wales, greeting him with the remark: ‘Well David, how many lions did you shoot’ ” ? Royal Family’s Sympathy With Coal Miners. Amid the tenseness of her own anxiety the Queen has not forgotten the hapless unemployed miners and their families of the Welsh coalfields, to whom she is sending clothing and toys, and appeals to everybody to brighten the sufferers’ Christmas. Princess Mary sent a supply of boots and her two sons a large selection of toys. The Duchess of York is sending clothing and Princess Elizabeth toys. Mr Baldwin personally sent a letter to the Lord-Lieutenant, bespeaking the speediest co-operation for relief. Mr and Mrs Lethbridge, of Glasgow, as a thank-offering for the Prince of Wales’s safe return, have given £IO,OOO for the city’s poor.—Australian Press Association