KING'S CONDITION

Waikato Times, Volume 104, Issue 17585, 14 December 1928, Page 7

KING'S CONDITION

NOT LOSING GROUND. MORNING BULLETIN. CONSIDERABLE WEAKNESS. PULSE STEADY. (By TelegTaph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Australian i-ress Assn. —United Service. j LONDON, Dec. 13. An official bulletin issued at Buckingham Palace at 10.45 a.m. to-day by Sir Stanley Hewctt, Sir Hugh'Rigby and Lord Dawson of Penn, stated: — " His Majesty the King has had some sleep. His local condition Is satisfactory. Weakness and toxaemia are considerable, but his pulse Is steady. His Majesty Is not losing ground." Prior to the issue of this bulletin there had been no medical report on the King's condition since midnight, but it was unofficially stated this morning that it was as good as could be expected, having regard to the severity of his operation. After a consideration of the reports in the newspapers of the operation there is a general feeling of cheerful hopefulness among the public. Most Encouraging. The medical correspondent of the Daily Chronicle says: "To-day's bulletins arc the most encouraging issued since the gravity of the King's condition was first recognised, In the past week there appears to have been a continual and rather sluggish ebb and flow, with nothing to indicate real progress. " To-day we are in a different atmosphere, one which holds definite promise of the King's progress toward recovery. This clear atmosphere has been created by the news that the fresh puncture revealed the presence of fluid in the chest and located its exact position. The satisfactory feature of the silualion is that the King's powers of resistance should have succeeded in driving his microbe enemies into a pen where they can be treated without serious difficulty."

Sir Hugh Rigby began the operation on the King at 7 p.m. In view of the severe strain upon His Majesty it was not considered desirable that any members of his family should see him in the evening. Nature of the Operation. The medical expert of the Dally Express says: " The severity of the operation on the King depends upon whether it was necessary to remove any portion of a rib or ribs. The process is to enlarge the opening already made by the hollow needle and to remove, if necessary, a portion of one or more of the ribs in order to allow of the insertion of a tube large enough to permit the escape of pus. " The tube is then inserted for drainage purposes. It is usually left in for 10 days or more, according to the amount of infectious matter. Gases are known where the tube has been retained for two or three months." Sir Hugh Rigby operated upon Prince George for appendicitis in i|J*2. Mr Shipway is chief anaesthetist at Guv's Hospital. He is recognised, both in Britain and on the Continent, as one of the leading authorities on anaesthesia. The Daily Express says it understands that for the past fortnight the King has been undergoing diathermanous treatment, an apparatus having been specially installed in his bedroom. It consists of high frequency electrical treatment which is passed into the patient's body with an alternating current. This has the effect of stimulating the nervous system and strengthening his heart.

Doctors Anxious.

Sir Hugh Rigby and Lord Dawson joined Sir Stanley Hcwett at the Palace at 9.30 a.m. It is understood that the considerable weakness mentioned in this morning's bulletin is causing the doctors much anxiety, which may last another two days. The weakness, however, was expected, as, though the operation was a minor one, it was most serious in the circumstances. It is pointed out that toxaemia is a vague term applied to a mild form of blood-poisoning, to several forms of which, due to micro-organisms entering the blood, the word septicaemia is applied. The Prince of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of York left the Palace together at 11.15 p.m. after a long conversation with the doctors. Amid all the worry and anxiety of his rush home to his father's bedside, the Prince thought of the men on board the cruiser Enterprise. lie carried letters from them, and, as a result, their wives and sweethearts received them to-day, 40 hours ahead of the ordinary mail.

PROGRESS SATISFACTORY, OFFICIAL STATEMENT. (Received Dec. 14, '9.40 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. J 3. Sir Stanley Hewett and Lord Dawson of Penn visited the King at 2.3 U p.m. It is officially stated that His Majesty is progressing. The doctors remained only half an hour, after which the Oueen went for a drive. Princess Mary stated at a meeting of the League of Mercy: You will be pleased to know that so far the condition of tho King is satisfactory. u < ALDERMEN PRAY FOR THE KING. Before the commencement of the last Sfrathfleid (New South Wales) Council meeting the aldermen prayed for the King. Led by the Mayor, Aid. Firth, they repeated'a special prayer:— 1- 0 Lord, Our Heavenly Father, Who dost from Thy throne behold all the dwellers upon earth, most earnestly wc beseech Tliee to restore our Sovereign, King George, to his wonted health and .strength; and Ibis we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen." At the conclusion the aldermen sang the National Anthem. As the last strains died away, on the night air was heard the sound of children's voices from a distant house, singing the Anthem.