The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-09
LEO'S WILL Is IRON.
Ais Vitality Is Marvellous and May
Keep Death Away Several Days.

Ais Vitality Is Marvellous and May
Keep Death Away Several Days.
= ROME. July 8. Ills a. m.--The- life of Pope
Leo continues to hang by thread with the
expectation that any moment may bring the
end. Yet the wonderful vitality of the re-
markable old man is combating a COM
plication of diseases which would endanger
a strong man in the prime of life 1t ap-
pears that everyone in the Vatican is
obliged to give way to overpowering ia
tigue. so mucn more tranquil is it In the
palace than outside, people still congregat-
ing on the piazza of st. Peters. The cor
ner of the palace which remained lighted
longest was the apartment of Cardinal
Rampolla, where the lights were extin-
guished only short time after those in
the room where Monsignor volponi, one
Of the PontifTs most intimate friends, is
lying in a serious condition as a result of
the attack of syncope that he suffered to-
day. Pope Leo, as though he had second
sight. has asked several times why Mon
signor volponi has not been to see him.
Naturally the condition of Monsignor Vol
poni has been kept from the Pope
Throughout yesterday the reports from
the sick room alternated with fears and
hopes. At times rumors of the gravest char
acter gained currency. Out of the mass of
ho
of the Pope's actual condition are indi-
Gated in the bulletins issued at GAS yester-
day morning and at Sis last evening. bear
ing the signatures of the two attending
doctors The early bulletin was notice
ably free from technical language. During
the night the Pope had secured little re-
freshing sleep. and with this sleeplessness
was augmented depression. The difficulty
10 breathing had increased and a derange-
.nent OF the kidneys began to manifest it
self. These complications were fully and
frankly stated by the doctors.
DOCTORS LITTLE HOPE.
The official bulletin was Supplemented I'm
the course OF personal conversation. in
which they showed that they entertained
always qualified their statements, setting
forth the remarkable constitutional strength
and energy of the patient as the most strik-
Ing evidence of his almost superhuman will
They instanced the dying mans leaving his
bed during the morning and taking several
steps. unaided save by a cane. to an arm
chair When this became known many
were disposed TO criticise the doctors for
was explained that the entire absence Of
fever. the temperature being even below
normal. eliminated the danger of syncope
from this exertion. Moreover. the attend
ing physicians recognized that they were
battling with man of iron will who does
not know the meaning OF restraint. For
tunately, all the climatic conditions in
Rome for the time being are favorable to
the sufferer. The air is deliciously cool
and there Is complete absence of the
.enervating sirocco which depresses and kills
The bright sunshine streams into the papal
apartment. The encouraging conditions are
further augmented by the constant use Of
ARTIFICIAL means OF exhilaration, including
steady supplies OF oxygen.
Except for the brief time that he passed
IN the armchair the Pope lay in bed
throughout the day, shifting his position
frequently without assistance and occa-
fionafly taking a small draught OF diluted
wine with the yoiks Of eggs. The only
solid food he has taken is calves brains
and meat broth.
PULSE IMPROVED
The later official bulletin from consulta-
tfon between Drs- Laponni and Mazzonf
CONTINUED ON PAGE 5, COL. -