The Evening Star SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1929. THE ILLNESS OF THE KING.

Evening Star, Issue 20061, 29 December 1928, Page 8

The Evening Star SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1929. THE ILLNESS OF THE KING.

It is not unnatural that yesterday’s reports about the condition of the King should cause apprehension. A lew clays ago the bulletins were so'encouraging that throughout tho Empire high hopes were held that His Majesty was definitely on the road to health. The authoritative report issued from Buckingham Palace lor the benefit of the medical profession stated that the dangerous phases of tho illness had been surmounted, and there were increasingly solid grounds for hoping that recovery would result from the long and arduous struggle. It was pointed out, however, that not only tho severity and length of the infection, but the exhaustion that resulted must make progress slow and difficult. So that hopes should not be unduly raised tho medical men in attendance on the King gave repeated warnings that tho progress might not be uninterrupted, and inlcrentially that any set-back might have the gravest consequences. The words “long and arduous struggle” fully describe the ordeal through which tho royal patient is passing. It was on November 21 that a bulletin signed by Sir Stanley Hewett and Lord Dawson was issued stating that tho King was suffering from a cold, with some fever. This was followed by the announcement that the issue oi the bulletin was largely due to tho necessary cancellation of his engagements, but in tiie. course of a day or two reference was made to the persistence of fever and some congestion of one lung. This was the beginning of an illness which has kept the nation in a state of suspense ever since. Its phases became so dangerpus that many people took a most pessimistic view of the position. But then, as now, there was no reason to despair. Tho latest reports are disquieting, but not unexpected. It is interesting to note in this connection that the British Medical Journal, in comments before the unfavourable turn occurred, dwelt on the likelihood of further • checks, while emphasising that some ground had been gained during the past ten days. There is .significance, too, in the statement that the Duke of Gloucester, in hunting kit, had left for Leicestershire, showing the position at tho moment was not causing undue apprehension. We are justified in putting faith in the comments of a leading medical authority who admitted that Thursday nights bulletin was not satisfactory, but said that no alarming conditions were evident. “ Ups and downs are liable to occur.” It is clear that the phrase “narrow margin of safety” aptly expresses tho King’s condition at the moment,, but we must take comfort Irom the .statement that the doctors are hopeful that he -will regain some of the ground that ho has lost. His Majesty has fought a good light, and it will be the most earnest wish of the people of the Empire that the new year will see him emerge from it with victory in sight. __