THE KING’S ILLNESS

Evening Star, Issue 20051, 17 December 1928, Page 5

THE KING’S ILLNESS

YESTERDAY’S BULLETIN GENERAL CONDITION IMPROVED Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LON’DUN, December 16. A bulletin which was issued at 11 a.m. states: “In spite of a restless night, His Majesty’s general condition is slightly _ improved.— (Signed) S. Hcwctt, H. Rigby, Dawson.’’. EARLIER BULLETINS PULSE REMAINS STEADY. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, December 15. A bulletin which was issued at 11 o’clock this morning and signed by Sir HuMi Rigby, Sir Stanley Hewett, and Lord Dawson, stated: “ Tho King has had several hours’ sleep. The local condition thus far L satisfactory. There is no increase in exhaustion, and the pulse remains steady.” Another bulletin issued at 7*30 this evening states: “His Majesty had a quiet day with some sleep. Though the pulse remains steady and the fever is now moderate, exhaustion persists. It lias been decided to employ ray therapy as. part'of tho treatment.” The morning bulletin is regarded at the Palace as favourable, justifying tho hope expressed last night that the less satisfactory condition prevailing is only one of the fluctuations that are to be expected in the course of the illness. Last night’s sleep has been beneficial and probably to the maintenance of strength, which, with the steadiness of the pulse, is one of the most reassuring features of tho bul'letin. The doctors had a long •afternoon consultation with the Prince of Wales, and Lord Dawson left the Palace at 3 o’clock. The Queen did not go for her usual drive. Princess Mary cancelled today’s engagement at Windsor, and will remain at the Palace. —Australian Press Association. ANXIETY STILL PELT. Press Association—By Telegraph —Copyright LONDON, _ December 15. To-night’s bulletin gives a disquieting reminder that the tune has not yet arrived for optimism concerning -the King’s condition after the successful operation. It has been regarded by the public as the turning point in the illness, _ but every authoritative statement, including official warnings from the Place, stress the anxiety which is still felt. To-night’s bulletin has not lessened the anxiety. The fact that the King bad a disturbed day and that his general condition is not quite so satislactory are definitely not to. the good; _ nevertheless, it is learned authoritatively that slight retardation in progress is expected by the doctors,

who are quite prepared during the long struggle ahead for other such fluctuations which may occur. The fact that the pulse, remains steady saves the situation from being a serious one. Anxiety must definitely continue until it is known whether the. King’s strength is sufficient to banish the microbes.—Australian Press Association. DISQUIETING OPEN lON. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, December 15. The ‘ Daily Express’s ’ medical writer regards the bulletin as disquieting because, while it is assumed that the local condition is satisfactory the general condition is unsatisfactory. “ It indicates that some cause besides the local ono is at work, and it appears as though the general infection- is assumjng a more serious position than even before, it means either that there is still some local collection of pus which is not escaping by the method adopted or that general poisoning is the most serious aspect of the case.” The Prince of Wales sent a letter to the president of tlio King Edward Hospital Fund, intimating that although lie is back in England he cannot just at present undertake any public engagements, and be asked the present officers to carry on until the end of the year.—Australian Press Association. THE FOURTH WEEK-END MANY CHANGES AND DEVELOPMENTS. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, December 15. 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 has been buoyed up with hope one day and reduced to grave anxiety on the following day. The bulletin is the surest index of the position as seen outside the Palace. When a bad bulletin is issued the anxious crowd outside grows to thousands. The general poisoning of the whole blood system, which was so alarming at the first stage, has slowly localised itself ns a collection of noxious matters affecting the luug, for which the_ operation was performed. Such operation, as already pointed out, if successful, is often, followed by twenty-four hours- of rapid and marked improvement, duo to the relief experienced.—Australian Press Association. MORE DOCTORS CALLED IN. NEW METHOD OE ATTACK. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, December 15. Apart from - the Tact that Princess Mary cancelled her visit to "Windsor, because, in the dean’s words, “ the condition of the King is very grave,” she. does nob care to bo away long from the palace, “ but she does not want you to think that there is any serious movement for the worse.” The most important development today was tho summoning of two additional doctors, who arrived at 4.50, left at 5.30, and then returned within half an hour. These comings and goings are partly explainable by information from tho palace to the effect that tho doctors were waiting some hours to seo the King, but His Majesty was sleeping in tho afternoon, and they decided to lot invaluable sleep aid their fight, and so did not interrupt him. Lord Dawson remained at tho palace the whole afternoon, and had a long consultation with Sir Stanley Hewett. Tho Prince of Wales awaited the conclusion thereof, after which the newcomer arrived. Dr Woods is an eminent electrologist and radiologist, in charge of the department of physical medicine and electrology in London Hospital.. Ho is part author of ‘ Pericarditis with Effusion.’ Dr Howitt is an eminent Harley street specialist, and chief clinical assistant in the therapy department at Guy’s Hospital, and physician in charge of the physiotherapy and massage departments of the Prince of Wales Hospital, Tottenham. He is part author of ‘Observations on Light Sensitisation.’ There was no surprise, therefore, when a bulletin revealed the adoption of tho now method of attack, with the names of AVoods and Howitt, who aro the best-known experts on ray therapy treatment, and aro presumably responsible therefor Tho 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 capillary glass or gold tubes containing radium emanation by means of surgical needles. It is understood that ray therapy will bo directed in the King’s case chiefly against the general infection. An eminent London specialist, in commenting on the .bulletin, said: ‘‘l presume the doctors mean ultra-violet ray treatment, lb is known that this has been under consideration. The effect is that of a general tonic, and it acts in such a. way. as .to ...destroy, bacteria. It increases the bacterial Te- - ' sistanco of the blood, and it would tend to promote healthy healing of the wound after the operation. 1 take it that, in this case, the doctors are going to. us© it Tor a tonic effect and to neutralise the infection.” The night bulletin is generally regarded as , satisfactory in the circumstances. It is even stated from a usually reliable source that the King’s condition is such that there is no cause for immediate anxiety. Ray therapy is siniply a new methodim the long and difficult struggle which the' doctors are waging. _ The exhaustion is the result of poisoning from the general infsetin. Tho fact that his Majesty had a quiet day, with the fever moderating, is regarded as reassuring, but it is recognised that there are still many difficulties to face* '

Dr Howitt and Dr Woods left the palace about 8.30 iu the evening, and Lord Dawson and Sir Hugh Rigby followed shortly afterwards, Sir Stanley Hewetj staying on, with a brief break of about half an hour. Sir Stanley Hewett, Lord Dawson, Dr Howitt, and Dr AVoods were in consultation for about four hours. The calling in of Dr Howitt and Dr AVoods makes ten doctors in attendance on His Majesty—Sir Stanley Hewett, Lord Dawson, Sir Farquhar Buzzard, Sir . Humphry Rollestou, Sir AVilliara Hodgson (radiologist), Sir Hugh Rigby (surgeon), Dr Shipway anaesthetist), and I)r Howitt and Dr AVoods (ray therapy experts). There are also sis nurses. There was a curious error iu connection -with one of the new doctors’ names. At first it was given out as Dr William Howitt. The newspapers ascertained that a doctor bearing such a name was at Nottingham, but ho was still there. Then it was thought that it was his brother, Dr Alfred Howitt, but eventually it was proved to ho neither, hut Dr Frank Howitt. It was learned shortly before midnight that the King’s condition showed no change since the bulletin. The Prince of AVales and tho Duke and Duchess of York dined at the Palace, and left about 11 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 tho requisite appliances, and these were adjusted with the aid of tho Palace electrician. The doctors have now marshalled all tho resources of medical science on behalf of tho patjent—bacteriology, radiology. surgery, oxygen, and electrotherapy. The last mentioned is now frequently used to help the heart, in addition to tho other purposes indicated.—Australian Press Association. THE HEART DANGER. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, December IG. A usually well-informed writer in the ‘ News of tho AVorld ’ says:— “ Tho danger is that tho heart may fail. Sir Stanley Hewett has had a most anxious and trying time made more so by suggestions from learned people and unlearned people. The Queen, on tho other hand, has never fussed tho doctors. It is a complete misapprehension that tho King has boon worried by the numerous medical examinations by numerous doctors. The X-ray photographs of tho King arc some of the best ever taken of a patient when lying in bed. Tho King lias been delirious off and on, but he recognised the Prince of AVales, greeting him with the remark, ‘ Well, David, how many linns did you shoot? I”—Australian Press Association. CHRISTMAS PARTY TO BE HELD. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, December 15. 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 GOO disabled soldiers for which the King lent the riding school at the Palace.—Australian Press Association. QUEEN THANKS SCOUTS. Pjess Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.. LONDON, December 15. In response to a message from the Boy Scouts’ Association on behalf of the movement throughout _ the Empire, the Queen replied with thanks and an assurance that the King appreciated tho good wishes.—Australian Press Association. LABOUR’S SYMPATHY. . Press Association—By Tclcgr iph—Copyright. LONDON, December 15. “ I would like to say how all have been moved by the King’s illness,” said Mr Ramsay MacDonald at a dinner tonight. “ Sympathy is not a question of sycophancy with those who have the great pleasure of knowing tho King personally. AVo know, how sincerely devoted to duty with constitutional impartiality ho is, and wc realise when he is walking through tho dark shadows how extraordinarily well His Majesty has always done his work, and how in doing it he knit ns to him, not as an official or a great and dignified head of the State, but as one who belongs to the nation. Ho has tried all his life, in all his actions, to carry out national responsibility and to advance national interests. There is not a member of the old Labour Cabinet who would not join me in prayer for bis complete recovery.”—Australian Press Association. IMPRESSIVE SCENE AT PORTSMOUTH. TUNNEY BOAVS IN PRAYER. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. . LONDON, December 16. There was an impressive scene at the marine barracks, Portsmouth, when the boxer, Gene Tunney, who is a captain in the United States Naval Reserve, before presenting a football cup from American 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.—Australian Press Association. A THANKOFFERING. £IO,OOO TO GLASGOAV POOR. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, December 16. (Received December 17, at 1.30 a.m.) Mr and Mrs Lethbridge Eabll, of Glasgow, as a thankoffering for the Prince of AVales’s safe return, have given £IO,OOO for the city’s poor.— Australian Press Association.