THE KING’S ILLNESS

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 3 January 1929, Page 6

THE KING’S ILLNESS

OVERNIGHT MESSAGES. (Per Press Association — Copyright LONDON, January 2. The appearance of a new doctor, making eleven since the King’s illness, coincides with the first public announcement concerning the part the new treatment, which is strictly secret, since it was first announced in the Bulletin of December 28. In accordance with the precedent of calling in a specialist in each branch, Dr. Dodds was called in to administer calcium, which is one of the measures determined during the consultation on December 28. Dr. Dodds, who is only 29 years of age, has been chiefly employed latterly at the Middlesex Hospital. To-night’s bulletin is regarded as more satisfactory than those immediately preceding it. The slight improvement, anxiously awaited, has been noted. It may therefore be assumed that the King has successfully negotiated the recent check. Then the

improvement may in some measure be attributed to calcium treatment. The fact that the physicians are able to report beneficial results, is a hopeful sign, indicating one successful method of attack against extreme weakness.

Medical authorities point out that calcium may be administered by the mouth preferably, or by injection. It is a tonic for the blood circulative system, thus assisting in relieving the strain on the heart. The treatment is comparatively new, but has been rapidly developed within the last few years.

The “Daily Express” medical correspondent says that the doctor is probably administering the smallest quantities by injections under the skin. He says the whole question now is the ability of the King to regain

the neecssary strength. This is a matter of nourishment and sleep. Both in the present case, are matters of difficulty.’’

LONDON, January 1. The King had a quiet day, and his condition is unchanged. It is learned that disappointment

was felt at the Palace in the morning. Despite the good night no progress sufficient to be noted in a bulletin has occurred. It had been hoped that an improvement would be manifested by to-day, but the doctors are still anxiously awaiting a definite sign of increase in strength. It is satisfactory that the last check has not developed into a setback. At the same time, the extreme slowness of the progress and the continuation of the great weakness is disappointing.

Even though the difficult nature of the illness war fully recognised, progress has been slower than expected, and anxiety continues.

A bulletin issued at 8,15 p.m. stated that the King had had a restful day, and there was a slight improvement in the general condition. The administration of calcium, based on the chemical examination of the blood, is producing beneficial results.

The bulletin was signed by Sir Stanley Hewett. Sir Hugh Rigby. Dr. E. C. Dodds. Professor of Biochemistry at London University, and Lord Dawson.