Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-06-26
KING EDWARDS CONDITION.

Dispatches received from London late
last night were to the effect that the
most that can be said of the Kings con-
dition is that there had been no apparent
change during the preceding twenty
four hours.
The resort to nitro-glycerine seems TO
have tided over the first danger of col
lapse from shock This factor having
been eliminated, it was not expected
that any fresh crisis would arise within
the time that has since elapsed.
The doctors will still not vOuchsafe
any information concerning the pulse OF
temperature, but it is naturally inferred
from the tone of the bulletins that moth
ing seriously abnormal has manifested
itself in this connection.
1t is carefully explained by medical
experts, however, that the attending
physicians must themselves remain in
ignorance of any internal mischief until
fatal symptoms appear, and then they
will be practically powerless.
The situation in this regard is not un-
like the case of President Mckinley.
The appearance of high pulse and
temperature would indicate the disap-
pearance of the last vestige Of hope.
These symptoms might be preceded by a
chill, which would be an equally omi-
nous sign.
There do not exist, however, any rea-
sons for exciting false hopes for time,
as in Mr.. McKinley's case The mark.
cts and exchanges have been closed I'M
til Monday, and if the physicians ex'
pected an immediate collapse there prob
ably would have been a darker tone in
the bulletins.
Unhappily, however, while the bulle-
tins to the public are nOn-committal, OF
almost optimistic, the doctors are pre-
pairing the royal household for the worst.
One of the Kings most intimate as
sociates asked one of the physicians
to tell him frankly just what chance
his majesty had. The reply was.
"Chances are fewer. Yesterday
should have said about one in three.
| am afraid could not say that today. "
Members of the palace encourage
quote medical opinion to the effect that
the king may live a week, but is hardly
expected to survive until Sunday. 1t is
quite true, as stated in the bulletins,
that the king had a falrly comfortable
day. He took nourishmcnt in the form
of milk and soda water and liquid pre-
pared food. He was even able to listen
to some Of the kilograms of sympathy,
and his spirits improved considerably.
His mind was quite clear when he was
awake, and he had fair amount OF
rest.
The Queen has been persuaded to
relax her vigilance somewhat. She
has rested for brief intervals in IN adj
joining room, but has remained always
within close call Frequent rumors OF
the gravest description have obtained
circulation in London. One of the
most persistent revived the story that
the king was suffering from cancer.
When questioned on the subject yes
terday. Lord Francis Knollys, the
kings private secretary, said: 81 give
you nv word of honor that the king
has no cancer. He never had symp-
tom of cancer, and there is no malignant
growth whatever in connection with hi,
malady".
When asked his own opinion of the
kings case, the secretary, who was made
a lord yesterday, replied: ''The king
is a man well on in years, who has UNI
dergone a very serious operation. You
can Judge as well as l."