King George

Evening Star, Issue 20048, 13 December 1928, Page 6

King George

HIS STRENGTH MAINTAINED AH OPERATION PERfOWD REMOVING FLUID FROM BASE OF LUNG HOPEFUL INDICATIONS t Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright, LONDON, December 12. (Received December 13, at 10 a.m.) Sir Stanley Hewett and Lord Dawson remained at the Palace until 1 p.m., and returned at 3 o’clock, accompanied by Sir Farqubar Buzzard and Sir Humphrey Rollcston, when they saw tlie King again. Mr Hugh Rigby (His Majesty’s - Honorary Surgeon-in-Ordinary) was summoned in tho afternoon.

Much secrecy surrounded a minor operation, which was performed on tho King in the morning. Very few, even in tho Palace, knew the reason. Lord Dawson and Sir Stanley Hewett remained with His Majesty. The bacteriologist arrived in tho afternoon. Then a bulletin was issued at 3.20, which read:

“ A slight improvement in the King’s condition was noticed this morning. His strength is maintained. Some virulent fluid around 'the base of the right lung was removed by ,a puncture this morning, and further drainage will be necessary.”—Australian Press Association. SUCCESSFUL OPERATION SIX DOCTORS IN ATTENDANCE Press Association—By ■ Telegraph —Copyright LONDON, December 12. (Received December 13, at 1.12 p.m.) There was considerable relief at tho announcement of tho successful operation which was carried out in His Majesty’s bedroom. Preparations proceeded throughout -the afternoon with the strictest secrecy. For -the first time since his illness there were six doctors at tho palace. Lord Dawson had been at the Palace since 9.30, and tho live others arrived at 2 o’clock, and .were in close, consultation until 4,30. Dr Whitby then left, and Sir Hugh Rigby (honorary surgeon to the King), appearing in the case for the first time, arrived at the Palace at 5 o’clock. An hour later Dr .Shipway (anajsthetist) was summoned, tho doctors having decided to carry out the operation. This was performed by Sir Hugh Rigby. It is stated that His Majesty emerged from the amcsthetic at 7.50, but the doctors remained in the bedroom till 8.30. All the doctors concerned are dining at the Palace,—Australian Press Association.

Tho news that His Majesty was safely through the operation and that his condition was satisfactory was immediately convoyed to the Queen, who was waiting: with the Prince of Wales, and tho Duke and Duchess of York. Three minutes later tho Prince of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of York drove from the Palace in separate cars, hut returned half an hour later for dinner at the Palace, which had been postponed. The decision to opera to followed a long consultation, and the finding of the ploural fluid mentioned in tho morning bulletin. The King’s rally last night followed what is described as a miraculous return of localised infection instead of general infection. This was regarded as a good sign, and meant that the doctors could carry out active treatment, which they did this morning, with tho happy result that they were able to arrange an operation for to-night. The operation would have been out of the question had tho King been unable to maintain his strength. Despite tho ravages of tho disease, his temperature, mentioned this morning, was the first sign that tho infection was again localised. The morning bulletin having conveyed tho information that an- operation was imminent, large crowds gathered near the Palace anxiously awaiting news, which was received with expressions of “Thank God.” Everywhere tho bulletin was received with cheering and applause.

DOCTORS’ OFFICIAL STATEMENT LONG STRUGGLE AHEAD Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright, LONDON, December 12. (Received December 13, at 12.45 p.m.) An official statement issued at Buckingham Palace to-night, though timed 3 p.m., states that to make clear tho nature of the long and exhausting illness it is necessary to state that general blood infection and toxaemia were in the first two weeks the prominent features, and caused ut one time grave anxiety. Moreover, tho case has not presented characteristics typical of pleural pneumonia. Seven days ago the evidences of general infection became less prominent and the blood cultures sterile, though all doctors will know that sterility of the blood cultures is not conclusive evidence that general infection has ceased. During tho last five days tho temperature has again risen to a nighcr level, yet the pneumonic and pleural signs became at tho same time less marked, and neither a pleural puncture nor a study of the now and excellent radiograms disclosed any appreciable effusion. Seeing, however, that the original pleurisy had involved the diaphragm, a careful watch was kept for the formation of fluid between the lung and the diaphragm and its extension to the posterior pulmonary surface. This .morning there were signs that this had developed, accompanied by an increase in leucocytosis. By an exploratory puncture at the extreme right posterior base purulent fluid was obtained which contained an organism morphologically resembling those previously found in the blood stream. Drainage will now bo performed. Though this pleural localisation of infection, so anxiously anticipated and looked for, makes the direction "of the advance more defined and hopeful, thoie m wtii ft prospect of a long and difficult struggle.—-Australian gr^A^ociation*

PROSPECTS OF RECOVERY IMPROVED

QUEEN UNVEILS MEMORIAL Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright, LONDON, December 12. (Received December Id, at 11 a,m.) It was officially announced that, though it is anxiously anticipated that the localisation of the infection makes tho direction of the advance more defined and tho position more hopeful, there is still in prospect a long and difficult straggle. Prayers tor tho King have been arranged daily at noon at Westminster Abbey till further notice. ’ Tho happiest nows from the Palace was the Queen’s statement that she would fulfil her engagement at Tower Hill to unveil the mercantile memorial, thus emphasising the note of hope that the great anxiety which, prevailed at the Palace yesterday and Monday was appreciably lessened to-day. The most satisfactory feature of the bulletins is the lowered temperature. Not only did the Queen, at Tower Hill, unveil her first memorial, but her voice was heard over tho wireless - for the first time. Despite the weather, thousands gathered along the route to show their appreciation of the Queen’s action in keeping her appointment. The seamen’s memorial, wnich is engraved with the names of 12,08fi officers and men who gave their lives in the war, has been ejected by all the Governments of tho Empire tbi’ough the Imperial War Graves Commission. A ftci, the Queen had unveiled it the Arc.l| ihop of Canterbury (Dr Lang) dedicated the memorial.—Australian Press Association.

THE PRINCE OF WALES Pre:>* Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, December 12. (Received December 13, at 9.40 a.ui.) A little past noon the Prince of Wales drove up to the Palace. He was heavily muffled in a large overcoat as a precaution against the unpleasant weather, in contrast to tho sunshine of Africa. The Duke of York, who called for the Prince at York House, accompanied him. A large crowd greeted the Princes at the Palace gates.—Australian Press Association.

INTERNATIONAL COURTESY

ASSISTANCE TO THE FRINGE A WARM ACKNOWLEDGMENT. (British Officaai Wireless.) Press Association-By Tcbgnph—Copyright RUGBY, December 12. (Received December 13, at noon.) The British representatives at Paris, Rome, and Berne have been instructed to convey to tho Governments to which they are accredited an expression of the Prince of Wales’s warm appreciation of the invaluable assistance afforded by them to His Royal Highness in expediting his journey through France, Italy, and Switzerland, and of tbo admirable organisation of tho arrangements made for In's convenience, safety, and comfort. The Prince also expressed his desire that his sincere thanks should be convoyed to the railway staff and officials who wore instrumental in carrying out these arrangements. An expression has also been added of the wannest thanks of tho British Government for the assistance so freely and readily given. KING'S YOUNGER SONS MAKIHp THEIR WAY HOME (British Official Wireless.) Pres* Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. RUGBY, December 12. (Received December 12, at noon.) It was officially announced to-day that Prince George (tbo King’s youngest son, who is in the Navy) is coming home. Ho left Bermuda today in the cruiser Durban for New York, where lie will embark in the Cunard liner Berengaria, which sails for England on Friday. Tho Berengaria is due at Southampton on December 20, which is Prince George’s birthday. Ho will be twenty-six years of age. Tho Duke of Gloucester (the third son of the King and Queen), who is on his way home from South Africa, is expected to reach London on Christmas Eve. EVENING BULLETIN CONDITION SATISFACTORY Pre&s Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, December 12. (Received December 13, at 11.50 a.m.) The bulletin issued at 8.45 p.m. stated: “ An operation on the King for :ihe drainage of the right side of the chest was successfully performed this evening. His Majesty’s condition is satisfactory.”—Australian Press Asociation.

CITY COUNCIL’S SYMPATHY

At the conclusion of tho meeting of the City Council last night, tho DeputyMayor (Cr J. S. Douglas) said tiuit that would be the last meeting of the council for 1928, and lie expressed the hope that when the council met again next year the King would again bo restored to his usual good health. Ho moved— ■“ That this council places on record its deep sympathy with the Royal Family in the illness of the King.” Tliis was carried, councillors singing a verse of the National Anthem.