The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-08
THERE IS STILL HOPE
DR.. MAZZ0NI IS MUCH ENCOUR.
AGED BY DEVELOPMENTS.
Despite Pneumonia, Kidney Trouble
and Difficult Breathing There
Is No Blood Poisoning.

ROME, July 8, 6:55 a. m.-An is TRANQUIL
at the Vatican this morning. The medical
bulletin which will be issued at the usual
hour is awaited with great expectation. DR..
Lapponi at 6 o'clock had gone to sleep.
The Pope on waking this morning did not
speak. He was somewhat irritable. and If
seemed as though the blankets and other
bedclothes were too heavy, so he kicked
them off at the imminent risk of taking a
fresh cold. which would be absolutely fatal.
The doctors consider that altogether his
Holiness has had a rather peaceful night.
ROME, July s, 2:15 a. m.-Pope Leo is now
sleeping. but his head lies uneasy on his
pillow The alienation brought about by
yesterdays operation of removing the fluid
from his pleura was followed later in the
evening by a restless period, and fresh
doses Of chloral, digitalis and caffeine had
to be administered. Under their influence
the Pontiff' fell Into slumber. which, how
ever, was not ye,;y- peaceful on account of
the difficulty the patient has in breathing.
Seeing DR.. Ldpponi always at his bedside
the Pope just before falling asleep said
kindly to him:
Now. it is your turn tonight You must
sleep"
Throughout the Vatican absolute calm
prevails tonight, the excitement of yes
terday having to great extent died out
with a revival of hope after the announce
ment that yesterdays operation was at
tended with success. The marvellous vitality
of the Pontiff is surprising even the
physicians. who did not expect him to sur
vive Monday night. Even the Pontiff him
self did not expect to be alive at this hour
Before the operation of puncturing the
pleura was performed yesterday he said to
those around him:
"I thank God that He has vouchsafed to
me the boon of being able of saying good-by
TO all. 1 love you all, but am tired and am
glad to CO."
The last official bulletin issued by the doc
read:
THE test puncture Of the pleura has been
made. and eight hundred grams of liquid
have been taken off. A rapid examination
showed that some mucous was rafting in
the lung, which was originally affected. The
Pope underwent the operation with courage.
His. general condition is now better. and
he is resting"
Last night DIR. Mazzoni, &ho had been be-
sieged by relatives and friends of the Pope
and by journalists, inquiring as to the re-
suit of the operation and his prognosis of
the disease. said:
When one considers that the Pope
should be dead by this time the unexpected
may happen and there is still hope His
resisting so long and maintaining perfect
lucidity of mind means that, notwithstand-
ing the pneumonia, the affection of the
kidneys and the difficulty of breathing,
there is no poisoning of the blood.
Between being at the point of death and
returning TO what his Holiness is tonight
there Is certainly such difference as to
permit the most optimistic views To prop
erly understand the change which has taken
place il must be considered that yesterday
the conviction was so sure that he would
die during the night that, Notwithstanding
the contrary opinion of DR.. Lapponi. those
surrounding the Pope insisted on having
extreme uncticr administered. Evil tongues
even insinuate that some members OF Pope
LeOs immediate circle counted on the bad
effects that such a function was likely TO
produce on weakened organism. but the
Pope resisted splendidiy- Indeed. he seems
10 have acquired fresh strength. L don
dare 10 say anything positive. 1t Is very
easy To be deceived. especially in the pres
encc OF guch marvellous resistance. mere
ly venture the impression that there Is
probability that the Pope will die, but 90
not believe death viii occur yet
Or. Iazzoni, assisted by DR.. Lapponi
son. also a doctor, last night hnished
Ire analysis or the liquid extracted from
the Popes plcura. The color Is orange reo
aaG ii is prevalently composed OK piood
with cuagulated fibrin, without pus. Wnat
Is feared is a reproduction Of serum In the
pleu-a. in which case the operation VIII De
repeated in about two days
OPERATION PERFORMED.