KING STILL IMPROVES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 555, 7 January 1929, Page 1

KING STILL IMPROVES

Gradual Progress Made

TAKING STEEPEST GRADIENT

“IT is felt in competent medical circles that the King is 1 gradually overcoming the steepest gradient of the long, uphill road to recovery,” says a British Official Wireless message.

The latest bulletin indicates improvement. (United P.A. — Bjj Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) (United Service)

Kecd. 11 a.m. LONDON, Sunday.

A bulletin issued at Buckingham Palace at 11.15 a.m. yesterday said the King has passed a good night and there was a slight improvement in his Majesty’s condition. The bulletin was signed by Sir Stanley Hewett, Sir Hugh Rigby and Lord Dawson of Penn. At 8.40 p.m. another bulletin stated that the King had had a restless day, but liis condition was not changed. The next bulletin will be issued this evening.

It is disappointing that the King’s upward tendency as reported yesterday morning was so quickly interrupted, but no undue concern is shown, as stationary periods are expected at this stage of his illness. Lord Dawson did not call at the Palace yesterday afternoon. Drs. F. Howitt and R. S. Woods again applied ray treatment yesterday. The Duke and Duchess of 'York dined with the Queen. The “Sunday Times” says it learns that it was possible at noon yesterday to remove the King from his own room, in which he had been lying since his illness began, to the adjacent audience room. A later report says the King’s condition is Still unchanged. Lord Dawson and Sir Hugh Rigby paid an hour’s visit to the Palace. Officials confirm the report of the removal yesterday from the bedroom to the audience chamber in which the Privy Council appointed a State Commission on December 4. It is now revealed that tho communicating door-

way was then left open to permit of his Majesty being in touch with the proceedings. A still later message says it is learnt at Buckingham Palace that the King has progressed satisfactorily during the last 24 hours. It is suggested that this possibly is attributable to the moving of bis Majesty to the larger and more interesting audience room.

Ray therapy treatment was carried out to-night. Sir Hugh Rigby, the surgeon, for the third successive time, did not pay an evening visit. A British Official Wireless message says: One difficulty which has naturally been encountered at the present stage of the King's illness is his difficulty iii digesting and assimilating food, and this was a point emphasised in an authoritative medical statement issued yesterday. “Otherwise, the condition of the wound made at the ''ear of the base of the right lung, to draw off the fluid, has made steady and satisfactory progress, and no longer causes anxiety. It is felt in competent medical circles that the King is gradually overcoming the steepest gradient in the long, uphill road to recovery. Yesterday afternoon, the Queen, accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of York, visited Burlington House, where the superb collection of Dutch art is on view. The King has lent several fine examples to the exhibition. The following bulletin was issued at 8.15 o’clock this evening: “The King has had a quiet day, and there is some improvement in his Majesty’s condition.’*