The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-07
POPE GETS RELIEF
The Doctors Perform a Surgi-
cal Operation Upon Him.
He Felt Much Better and
Breathed More Easily.
HE is WASTING AWAY.
The Life Of the Pontiff Is Slow
Iy Ebbing Out.
He Passed a Restless and a
Sleepless Night.
COMPLICATIONS ARISE.
Pleurisy and Partial Paralysis
Added to Ailments.
He Has Said Goodbye to His
Relatives.
Asked to Have the Morning
Newspapers Brought In.
COMPLICATIONS ARISE.
Pleurisy and Partial ParaIysi
Added to Ailments.
He Has Said Goodbye to Hi.
Relatives.
Asked to Have the Morning
Newspapers Brought In.

Rome. July 7-2:3O P. M.-The pope
has been operated on and his general
condition is now better
The following bulletin has been is
sued.
The test puncture of pleura has been
made and eight hundred grams of liquid
have been taken off. A rapid examina-
ton showed that some mucous was
rattling in the lung which was original
ly affected.
THE pope underwent the operation
with courage. His general condition now
is better and he is resting. (Signed)
"LAPPONI.-
"MAZZONL''
The calmness with which the pope
underwent the ordeal of the operation
was one of the most remarkable evil
dences of fortitude that-h he had given in
his whole life. After lengthy confer
ence the doctors concluded it was advis-
able to operate for pleurisy, the primary
purpose being to explore the affected
parts. They hoped incidentally TO draw
off the collected fluid.
When their determination was COM
municated to the pontiff he showed no
anxiety. On the contrary he submitted
very willingly, expressing the hope that
good results might come, recalling the
successful results following Dr. MAJ
zonfs operation some years ago for
cyst AS the operation was not of a
capital nature, not suggesting the use
of chlOrOfOrm or other anestheticS, the
pope lay on his bed, with his left side
exposed below the armpit to the waist.
Only the two doctors and two personal
attendants were within the chamber
The immediate decision Of the ion
devolved on DR.. Mazzoni, who handled
the instruments and made the prepara-
tory arrangements. First a slight in
cision was made in the side of the ven
cradle patient A solution of alcohol
and corrosive sublimate was then in
jected and cocaine was used to deaden
the sensation. The point of operation
was just below the seventh rib and the
operation itself consisted in the inser-
ton of a large pravaz needle syringe.
This penetrated to the region where the
matter had accumulated and by means
of suction slowly drew it off. Under the
skillful guidance of DR.. MazZoni the
operation scarcely occupied over four
minutes.
The pope manifested no pain what
ever, neither was there the slightest
ton. In the language of one of the
doctors, the cocaine so deadened the
parts that the pontiff felt no more than
slight pin prick.
AS soon as the liquid was drawn off
by the suction needle the patient felt
great relief, owing to the removal of
the pressure of the liquid on the lung,
and simultaneously the doctors could
hear air passing through that zone
which this morning was declared to be
impervious, owing to congestion. From
a pathological standpoint the free pas
sage of air was considered satisfactory
but more so were the results, the men
tai and physical relief which 1t brought
to the pope. He Immediately showed an
exhflaratfng spirit. With a slight smile
on his palIid face he whispered his
thankfulness and bestowed benediction
on the doctors bending over him. The
pontiff even stroked DR.. Mazzonis face,
in the benevolent way which is charac-
teristic of him Then with one hand ne
arranged his position, closed his eyes
and in a few minutes passed into
calm healthful sleep.
The doctors remained by the pope s
side, noting the regularity of his breath
ing and pronounced the operation to
have been in every way successful and
leaving no perceptible adverse results.
NO WORSE.
Paris, July THE papal nunciature
here received the following dispatch this
afternoon:
The holy father is no worse. His con-
dition is very serious, without causing
the loss of all hope.
(signed1 "RAMPOLLA."
After the operation Dr. MaZzonl Sald
the danger remained imminent but the
illness from which the pope was suf-
fering was full of surprises His holiness
might even live three days longer.
London, July IA special dispatch
from Rome says that shortly before the
operation of puncturing the pleura this
afternoon the pope remarked to those
around him:
Il thank God that He has vouchsafed
to me the boon of being able to say good
bye to all. I love you all, but 1 am tired
and am glad to co.
New York, July IA private cable
gram from Rome received at st. Pat
rick's cathedral today read as follows:
THE end of the pope is very near His
weakness is extreme"
THE pope passed a restless night,
without sleep. Nourishment, however,
has been more freely taken and the gen
eral condition of the patient is little
more reassuring. An objective examin-
alton shows a change in the right of
the thorax and the middle lobe of the
lung, which up to yesterday did not
permit the passage of air, now allows
the air to penetrate. On the other hand,
the interior zone has become more OBJ
tuse and the transmission of vocal and
tactile vibration is wanting. This leads
to the belief that there is liquid in the
pleura- An experimental incision will
be made. The action of the heart is
depressed, so much SO as to render the