WHAT BULLETINS REVEAL

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 539, 17 December 1928, Page 1

WHAT BULLETINS REVEAL

Ray Experts Called In ten doctors at the palace All Resources Marshalled MORE reassuring news of the King's condition follows the gloomy tidings that came earlier. An improvement in his condition was noted yesterday morning, and the evening bulletin said this was maintained. With the summoning of experts in ray treatment, all the forces of medicine have been marshalled to fight for his Majesty. (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and 27. Z. Press Association) (United Service)

Reed. Noon. LONDON, Sunday. The King's doctors. Sir Stanley Hewett, Sir Hugh Rigby and Lord Dawson of Penn, issued the following bulletin at 11 a.m. to-day: “In spite of a restless night his Majesty's general condition has slightly improved.” At the Palace, the bulletin Is regarded as reassuring. The fact that diere is improvement in his Majesty’s condition after a restless night indicates that the King has still a good reserve of strength with which to continue the fight against the general infection. It is regarded as satisfactory that the temperature and the pulse were not mentioned. The doctors consulted for an hour and a-half before issuing the bulletin. The Duke and Duchess of York called at the Palace, and accompanied the Queen, Princess Mary and Viscount Lascelles to a service at the chapel. The Roman Catholic churches in the Nottingi.-vm diocese, in view of the King's illness, celebrated a solemn exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The bishop circularised the clergy: "i beg you to exhort the people to pray that his Majesty be restored to health. May God preserve t&r many years the precious life of a justlybeloved Sovereign. We cannot get on without George the Fifth, who lias been an example to all, and the most valuable head at the time of groat crises, through which we have been passing. X personally feel that the sreat blow Is not going to fall.” A bulletin issued at 8 p.m. states: “The King had a quiet day, and the improvement which was noted in the morning was maintained.” Earlier reports during the week-end had been most disquieting. An expected improvement in the King's condition following the lung operation did not take place, and two new doctors were called in. These were Dr. Robert Stanton Woods, an eminent riectrologist and radiologist, and Dr. trank Howitt, chief clinical assistant in the actio-therapy department of

Guy’s Hospital, physician-in-cliarge of the physio-therapy and massage departments of the f'rince of Wales Hospital, Tottenham, and part author of “Observations on Light Sensitisation.” Earlier, a bulletin had been issued, at 7.30 p.m. on Sunday:—‘‘His Majesty has had a quiet day with some sleep. Although his pulse remains steady, and the fever is now moderate, the exhaustion persists. It lias been decided to employ ray-therapy as part of the treatment.” There was no surprise, therefore, when the bulletin revealed the adoption of a new method of attack, with the names of Dr. Woods and Dr. Howitt, who are the best known experts on ray-therapy treatment, and presumably are responsible for the new treatment. The science of ray-therapy (curing by means of rays), has made great strides since the discovery of the medical value of the X-rays, and the introduction of radium, particularly in connection with the destruction of diseased tissue. TEN DOCTORS AT PALACE At one stage there were ten doctors at the Palace. These were Sir Stanley Hewett, Lord Dawson, Sir Farquhar Buzzard, Sir Humphrey Rolleston, Sir William Hodgson, the radiologist, Sir Hugh Rigby, the surgeon, Mr. Shipway. the anaesthetist, Mr. L. E. Whitby, the bacteriologist, and Dr. Howitt and Dr. Woods, the raytherapy experts. There are also six nurses in attendance. It is understood that the raytherapy treatment will be directed in the King’s case chiefly against the general infection. The absence from the Palace for half-an-hour of Dr. Woods and Dr. Hewett was to enable them to procure the requisite appliances. These were adjusted with the aid of the Palace electrician. The doctors have now marshalled all the resources of medical science on behalf of their Royal patient, bacteriology, radiology, surgery, oxygen and electro-therapy. This last treatment is now frequently used to help the heart, in addition to the other purposes already indicated.

MORE HOPEFUL NOTE YESTERDAY’S BULLETINS (Australian and 27. Z. Press Association) Reed. 12.33 p.m. LONDON, Sunday. To-day’s bulletin is the most hopeful that has been issued for some days. To-night’s particularly indicates a shade of progress In the right direction. To quote an authoritative expression from the Palace, coupled with this morning’s report it has given rise to a more optimistic outlook, despite definite knowledge that an arduous struggle is inevitably ahead. The first application of ray therapy was given to-night just before the bulletin was issued. Though it was administered by the experts, Dr. Howitt and Dr. Wood, they did not sign the bulletin. They state they will not sign any future bulletins. Lord Dawson paid a brief visit this afternoon and returned at 6.30, accompanied by Dr. Howitt and Dr. Woods. The three were in consultation with Sir Stanley Hewett, after which the ray treatment was administered. Dr. Howett and Dr. Woods left the Palace at seven o’clock.