KING’S HEALTH

Hokitika Guardian, 14 December 1928, Page 5

KING’S HEALTH

OPER ATI ON TAXES STB ENGTJI. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). LONDON, December IT The Prince ot U ales and the Duke and Duchess of York left the Palme together at 11.15. alter long conversation with the doctors, who appeared in good spirits. Sir K. S. liewett remained all night as usual. The operation which Dr Rigby began at seven o’clock, proved a great tax on the King’s strength. It is not considered desirable, in view of the severe strain, that any members of the family should see the King during the evening. FURTHER DETAILS. LONDON, December IT The “Daily Express” stales that the severity of the operation on the King depends whether i! was necessary to remove any portion ml a rib or ribs. The process is Lo enlarge an opening already made by a hollow needle, and to remove, if necessary, one or more ribs, in order to allow the insertion of a lube large enough to permit the escape of mailer. A tube is then inserted for drainage purposes. It is usually left ten days, according to the amount of infective matter. Cases have hern known where the tube was retained il'or two or three months. Dr Rigby operated on Prince George for appendicitis in 1922. Dr Shipway is the chief anesthetist at Guy’s Hospital, and is recognised. both in Britain and on the Continent, ns one of the leading authorities on anesthesia. The same paper understands that) the King, during the past fortnight, has been undergoing diathermy treatment. Apparatus has been spatially installed in the hot I room. It consists of high frequency electrical treatment which is passed into the patient's body with an alternating current. | This lias the effect of stimulating the nervous system, and strengthening the heart. t SIJBUED OPTIMISM AT PALACE. LONDON, December 12. At 11.80 p.m. an official bulletin stated that the King was progressing satisfactorily. Although ail authoritative medical statement to-night speaks ml a long, difficult struggle in prospect, some part of the constant enxiety ol the past few days is relieved. To-night among the Royal household there is an air of subdued optimism. The operation was a great tax on Hys .Majesty’s strength, impaired by twpnty-two days continuous dangerous illness. The fact that he emerged V_ satisfactorily makes those in touch 'with the Royal circle hopeful concerning the ultimate result. Concern, however, must he felt ifov some little time until it is known how the operation may have effected his strength, hut anxiety on this score is not very grave. The King’s condition to-night is regarded as a remarkable tribute to It is strength and constitution. The turn ol events which led to the operation is authoritatively described as almost a miracle. Thirty hours ago the greatest anxiety existed. It was a remarkable coincidence that the change in condition was first noticed by the doctors short, yl before midnight, less than an hour after the Prince of Wales had seen his father. As recently as twen-ty-four hours ago general infection had been causing the doctors much coil cern. Following the dramatic change, it was quickly realised that active treatment cotiltl lie undertaken. Ihe doctors had a grave decision to make. It is understood that helore reaching the decision they consulted the Queen and Prince of Wales. To-night there is new hope, all hough the way is long and difficult, that the King is on the road to recovery.

FEE LI N G OF HOP K F ITT. N KS3

LONDON. December Id

There liiis been no medical report on the King’s condition since midnight, hut it is unofliciiilly stated tlmt his condition this morning was as good as could he expected, having regard to the severity of the operation. Among the public, after discussing the newspaper accounts o'l the opeintion, there is a general feeling oi cheerful hopefulness. PRINCE OF WALKS. THANKS FOR HELP ON 11TS JOURNEY. RUGBY, December 12. The British representatives ot Paris, Rome, and Berne have been instructed to convey to the 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 I Highness ,'in 'expediting his journey through France, Italy and Switzerland. Imd of the admirable organisation in dim arrangmenls made lor hi s v convenience. safety and comfort. The Prince of Wales had also expressed a desire that his sincere thanks should b« conveyed t« the railway stall and officials who were instrumental in carrying out these arrangements. An expression has also been added ol the warmest thanks rif the British Government for the assistance so freely and

readily given. vDnid all the worry and anxiety of the rush home to his father’s liedside. the Prince of Wales thought of the men aboard the Enterprise, and carried their letters, with the result that Dmir wives and sweethearts received letters to-day forty hours ahead of the ordinary mail.

MORNING BULLETIN.

NOT LOSING GROUND

BUT CONSIDERABLE WEAKNESS. (Received this day at S a.m.) LONDON, Due. 18. A Bulletin at 10. lo a.in. stated Unix ing had some sleep. .Local conditions are satisfactory. Weakness and taxacmia are considerable, but the Jill!so is steady. Ilis Majesty is not losing ground.—(Signed.) liewett, Rigby and Dawson. At 12.83 p.m. Dr.s Rigby and Dawsou joined Dr liewett at the Palace, who were there at 9.80. it is understood the considerable weakness mentioned in the morning’s Bulletin, causes 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 Ifrin applied to nnld ilornis ol blood-poisoning. To several forms, due to micro-organs entering the blood, (lie wold septicaemia is applied. HIS MAJESTY PROGRESSING. (Received this day at 8.80. a.in.) LONDON, Dee. 18. Dr.s Hewitt and Dawson visited the King at 2.80. It is ollieially slated that Ilis Majesty is nrogressing. i lie doctors remained only half an hour, alter which the Queen went for a drive. Princess Alary stated at a meeting of the League of Mercy:—-‘You will ■o pleased to know that so far the condition of the King is satisfactory.” 'fhe “Evening Standard” diarist says: “I was informed late last night by one iiitmiiteiy connected with the Royal Entourage that for twenty-four hours previous very little hope was entertained at tlx* Palace, it is now an established fact that the King has had pneumonia with pleurisy, which, however. did not run its course. He I lien developed einnyuui. which was the pur]H)se of the operation. For the first time since his illness, special mid-day prayers for His Majesty were said in tlio Abbey. There was a large, varied congregation, the richest and iioorest kneeling side by side in silent prayer. The Prince of AYales lunched with the Queen. Ho is avoiding public engagements and is remaining in London until the King is definitely on the road to recovery. A SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT. (Received this day at 10 n.m.) LONDON. Doc. 18. A bulletin issued at 8. to n.m. .stated that though the King stdl sutler, from exhaustion, there was a slight improvement in his condition. Ihe local condition remains satisfactory. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE. WASHINGTON. Dec. 18. Air C’oolidge cabled to King George: “1 am greatly pleased to learn of the distinct improvement in Your Majesty’s health and trust that your completi convalescence will now be a matter ot a short time.”

FURTHER NEWS

HOPEFUL OUTLOOK

(Received this day til- 11.25. a.tn.) LONDON. Dee. UL

Drs Hewitt. Dawson, Rigby, .Buzzard and Hodgsou arrived at the Palaci at 7 o’clock, and a bulletin was issues' seventy-five minutes later. Though brief, it conveys the welcome news that there is a slight improvement ii thi> general condition. The oxhaustim referred to is expectable, and there is no alarm, though there is necessarily :i still anxious as|mct. An eminent authority, commenting on to-night's bulletin, said: "it is as good as one could got. The I act thal the King is safely through the 2; hours is a very good thing;. The immediate danger after such an operation is the shock. Fortunately there is nothing like that. The outlook now is completely changed. The fact that the King is oven such a little better is very hopeful.” licitisii Medical Journal, introducing an authority on the review (cabled yesterday), says: “'I lie bulletins kept the public informed with .commendable frankness. Local signs on the chest are general symptoms of the patient’s reaction to the strain of a very severe and exhausting infection. They have recorded fluctuations extrenily virulent. the malady of which would have taxed the strength of a young man ol powerful physique.” The “Lancet.” in an introduction thereto says: “The position so far is satisfactory. Those conversant with the course of the symptoms and the significance of those cases, will recognise that we. have the foundation for the renewal of legitimate hones.” A loading surgeon told the “Evening Standard” that had the case not resolved itself from medical into surgical it would have been hopeless. Now with a surgical curative', something could he done and hv the end ol 2-1 hours after the operation the heart should bo showing distinct signs of relief, all going well, and if the King has enough strength to sec through the feu more days thou he should recover. He will have been saved by an operation for empyema whose operation results, statistically are very good.