The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-05
DR.. LappOni Announces He
Will Remain at Bedside
of the Distinguished Pa
tient, WhOIS Now Scarcely
Breathing.
Hardly a Moments Sleep in
Thirty-six Hours Has
Slapped the Vitality of
One of the Worlds
Grand Old Men.


Vatican are that the PoDe's condition is
growing more and more alarming each
moment
In addition to the condition Of coma.
it is now said that pneumonia has set
In in the 2ontiff's right lung. causing
him intense pain. accompanied BY suf-
location due 70 catarrhal Inflammation
The aged Pontif is now Sc ely breath
ing. and that only with the greatest dif-
ficulty. and though he his 10 fever. DR..
Lapponi has announced that he will re-
main by the bedside throughout the
night
His Days Numbered.
Rumors and reports of more or less
foundation in fact. regarding the fail
fng health Of the Pope seem tonight to
have been replaced by q definite convic-
tion among the physicians OF his holt
ness. and also among the higher Vatican
circles. that Leo XIII has not much long
er to live.
After the most searching interviews
possible under the circumstances 1t Is
aseertained tonight that the Pope has
slept scarcely a moment in the past
thirty-six hours. is weaker than he has
been at any time since his health began
pereeptibly to fail, and is the subject OF
the gravest alarm to his physicians and
Of almost hysterical fear TO his immedi-
ate encourage.
In spite of his recent increased weak
ness. his holiness, in direct violation
of the warnings OF his doctor. left his
had for ba oF
tation of Hungarian pilgrims
His Effort Too Much.
In the audience with the Hungarian
Catholics. the Pope seemed more feeble
than at any time recently in the many
audiences he has granted. His appear
anee did not belle his greatly weakened
condition. for after the audience it be-
came plain that the effort had been too
much for him In the afternoon he
tainted and had to be revived with
stimulants by DR.. Lapponi. who after the
fainting spell hastily called in the aid
OF DR.. MazzonI. one of the best known
practitioners IN Rome.
Driven Through Grounds.
A consultation was held. and it was
decided to have his holiness driven
about the Vatican gardens This was
done. and seemed temporarily TO re-
store his holiness to a measure of in
creased strength.
The seeming revivihcation was not
however. Of any great duration for a re-
lapse set IN toward evening, and so
great was the alarm of Dr. Lapponi that
ba CT ar he - -.
night. and has scarcely left him for a
moment throughout the day. All night
the Pope was extremely restless and
slept little.
Pope Leo remained in bed all day
Early this evening DR.. Lapponi re-
ported that his patient was somewhat
improved, but this is hardly borne out
by the actions of Signor Contra, the
Pope's valet. who has been his constant
attendant for years. This faithful serv-
ant OF his holiness was weeping bitter
ly this evening, and he admitted that
he greatly feared that complications
would set in. and that he was convinced
his master was in most serious con-
dition.
His Grief Pathetic.
II was most pathetic sight TO witness
the grief OF this great. strong man. and
the fact that he was so deeply moved Is
taken as an indication that the Pontin's
hours are numbered. for probably no
other person is so closely in touch with
his holiness, and no one better under
stands the gravity OF the symptoms that
develop from time TO time.
The fact that he was so deeply moved
is taken to be Indicative OF the fact that
the hours of the Pope on earth are few
indeed.
The Rome Tribune" says that his
holiness tainted twice yesterday, re-
naming IN an unconscious condition the
ilrst time for fully an hour. and the seq
ond time for about half hour. The
same paper says that there has been .