STILL MAKING SLOW PROGRESS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18643, 24 December 1928, Page 4

STILL MAKING SLOW PROGRESS.

MEDICAL REVIEW OF KING’S ILLNESS.

(United Press Assn. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON. December 22. A bulletin issued this evening, signed by Sir Stanley Hewett, Sir Hugh Rigby and Lord Dawson, said:— “ The King passed a quiet day. The rate of progress is unchanged. The next bulletin will be issued on Sunday evening.” The bulletin is regarded in Palace circles as satisfactory, though the doctors are unable to report notable progress. This means that his Majesty is continuing to make slow progress. Violet jay treatment was administered to-night. Lord Dawson and Sir Hugh Rigby consulted with Sir Stanley Ilewett for an hour. Sir Stanley Hewett continues to sleep at the Palace.

Optimism is emphasised by the announcement that there will be no further bulletin till Sunday evening. A medical review of the King’s case is informative. It points out that the dangerous nature of the infection was clear to the doctors almost from the beginning, when the blood was found to contain streptococci, which is neVer dislodged from the blood stream without endangering the patient’s life. At the end of the second week the condition deserved the name of pneumonia, but this would have misled the public, who associate it with pneumococcus, a type bringing a crisis in ten days. Two medical men state that the lung was secendary to general septicaemia, where there were signs of severe bacterial poisoning, dusky appearance, dry cracked tongue, periods of delirium, and exhaustion. Then after the operation, which was necessary in the circumstances, the general infection did not return. Exhaustion was inevitably still profound. The time had passed for dramatic happenings or providential reliefs. Happily this state was more distressful to the bedside watcher than to the patient, who did not linger in grave discomfort or pain. Under careful nursing and with the occasional valuable stimulus of ultra-violet rays, the King’s strength has been gradually increased. —Australian Press Association—United Service.

CLOUD HAS LIFTED AND MORE HOPEFUL VIEW NOW TAKEN

LONDON, December 22. A bulletin issued at 11.30 a.m., signed by Sir Stanley Hewett, Sir Hugh Rigby and Lord Dawson, stated: “The King had a fair night. His condition remains unchanged.” The fifth week of the King’s illness finds for the first time definite and welcome evidence that he has taken the road to recovery. The latest medical statements have enabled the public to realise how extreme were the perils through which the King passed, and how slow and anxious was the passage. His Majesty is by no means yet out of danger, the gradual improvement of the last few days must con tinue. However, the cumulative effect must make itself felt, while the skilled solicitude with which he is attended is a guarantee against an avoidable setback. It is extremely fortunate that the cloud has lifted to this extent before Christmas. Business and pleasure have both been considerably overshadowed in the past month, and they will not recover the normal tide until the King enters the convalescent stage. However, already a lessening of the tension is perceptible. To-night, for the first time since the King’s illness developed seriously, there is a distinct air of confidence at the Palace. His Majesty’s progress is very slow, but this was expected. 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, and, if progress is continued for another two or three days, it may be accepted that the King is on the high road to recovery. Dr Howitt and Dr Woods again administered the ray treatment to-night. Lord Dawson and Sir Hugh Rigby remained with Dr Howitt for an hour. Sir Stanley Hewett is still staying at the Palace. Prince George reached the Palace at 6.15 and left during the evening. His train was twenty minutes late, owing to fog. The Duke of Gloucester will reach Southampton on Christmas Eve, and is expected to motor to the Palace, where he will stay. It is stated in Ministerial circles tonight that the King and Queen desire their subjects not to allow the King’s illness to diminish the customary happiness of Christmas. As his Majesty is now making steady if slow progress, it is his desire that public and private , festivities should proceed as usual. A formal message to this effect may be issued before Christmas Day. An outstanding feature of the anxious time is the way in which the whole of Europe has re-acted. France particularly has taken almost as vital an interest as the Empire. An attempt to analyse the popularity of the King is made by the famous “ Pertinax ” in to-day’s “ Echo de Paris.” He says:—‘‘Until now the King’s popularity has been latent and unsuspected by most attendant British observers. It is not due to any individual action, as with Queen Victoria or King Edward. The King has not intervened in public affairs with a vigour which even approaches comparison with his predecessors, but, far more thait they, he has mingled with the masses. He has shown a strict sense of duty on all occasions. He has never missed an opening of Parliament. He is a classical example of the country gentleman, with little predilection either for literature or art. He is a good shot, and is fond of horses—a man whose simple kindliness marks him as a perfect type of good fellow, vividly conscious of his duties, and carrying them out scrupulously.”

“ Pertinax ” adds: —“ Nevertheless, it must, not be concluded that the King is self-effacing or lacking in energy.” He quotes the Prince of Wales as having said that if his father had reigned in another age he would have believed in the divine right of kings.

“ On two occasions where the utmost delicacy and tact were needed—in dealing with the Parliament Act and during the first Labour Government—the King acquitted himself without room for criticism. As a result. Republican sentiment failed to develop in England at a time when circumstances were in its favour. To-day it is practically non-existent.”

rPINCE GEORGE’S t-AKE AUCTIONED FOR £1067.

LONDON, December 22. With the exception of the Duke of Gloucester, who is expected at Buckingham Palace on Christmas Eve, the

Royal family circle is now complete at the Palace. The Berengaria’s passengers say that Prince George made quite a hit at the auction of his birthday cake, which realised £1067 for the Miners’ Fund. The cake was first sold as a whole for £250. Prince George then sliced it and sold it at £5 a time. Then sub-slices were cut up and reauctioned until only crumbs were left. These were sold, and then two sugar birds realised £SO each.—United Service.