River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1903-07-09

within seven or eight days, but if the
disease takes a bad turn, especially if
the heart grows weaker, a catastrophe
may occur in four or five days.
The temperature in the axilia is nor
NAL, as is nearly always the case in
the form of pneumonia from which the
pontiff is suffering.
The chief cause of the patients un-
easiness is a shortness of breath due to
the accumulation of phlegm, and as his
holiness coughs but little there is
from the trachea or lungs
Official Bulletin.
The first official bulletin, issued at
1870 Sunday morning, says: "Dr. Lap
poni is deeply concerned by the condi-
ton of the pope. He had consultation
with Dr. Muzzoni, who confirmed the
diagnosis previously made by his col
league of senile pulmonary hepatiza-
ton. DR.. MuZZoni approved the treat
ment already commenced. The general
condition of his holiness is grave on
account of the age of the patient, al
though, for the moment, it is not alarm
ing"
The following bulletin was issued at
$40 p. m: 'Since morning the pope's
weakness has increased slightly, his
pulmonary condition is unchanged, his
breathing is somewhat rapid and his
pulse, which is weaker, is not irregular.
His temperature is less than normal.
His holiness is perfectly conscious"
May Last Several Days.
The condition of his holiness at mid
night, though still grave, is not so seri-
Gus as late in the afternoon. DR.. Lap
poni administered camphor-caffeine
through the mouth, as one experiment
of injection, did not prove successful,
Pope Leo saying he could not bear it..
The amelioration resulting from the
camphor- caffeine was so marked that
the pontiff called first his nephews and
then his private secretary and adjusted
some personal affairs which are pend
ing. DR.. MaZZoni and DR.. Lapponi
thought that the danger of catas-
trophe occurring during the night has
been averted Indeed, they hope that
unless there is heart failure they will
be able to keep their august patient alive
for few days longer, especially If he
will willingly consent to observe the
physicians prescriptions. This, how
ever, is the more difficult as his holiness
preserves his full consciousness and ar
CUES and discusses his doctors prescrip-
tons. The latter, fearing to excite him
by contradiction, are sometimes at a
loss how to proceed.
Rome, July 6.-2:56 a. m.-The pope
has had three hours sleep, but woke
with severe pains in the chest. DR.. Lap
poni gave him relief by changing his
position.
Last Communion Administered.
During the afternoon the strength of
the pontiff began to fail him SO rap
idly and his condition became so crit
ical that it appeared that only few
hours of his life remained to him. 1t
was, therefore, deemed wise to adj
wise him of his grave condition, and
this was done with tender precaution.
Pope Leo was thus prepared for his
last communion, which was admins
tered Sunday night with the partici-
patton of all the cardinals now in
Rome and the whole of the pontifical
court The solemn yet gorgeous cere-
mony of administering the last sacra-
ment took place at the bedside of Pope
Leo. The central figure was the dying
pontiff. whose long life's journey is
nearly over, calmly preparing to en-
ter the dark valley. His pale and ema-
ciated face, almost as white as the
pillows on which it rested, showed
little signs of life. except the keen
glittering eyes. always his most strlk-
ing feature.
Around the bed were grouped the
noble guards, in their glittering uni
form, the knights of the cloak and
sword, in their picturesque medieval
costume of black with white ruffs, 20
cardinals, all the members of the sa-
cred college who are present in Rome,
stately and venerable figures in their
sweeping crimson robes; the whole
forming a scene of rich, yet subdued,
coloring, a fit subject for the pencil
of Rembrandt The whole of what is
called the pontifical family, headed by
Cardinal Rampolla, and including all
the private chamberlains, were there.
Nearest to the bed stood the impos-
ing, tall figure of the cardinal grand
Serafno Vannuttelli, !