The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-08
END IS NEAR.
The Condition of the Pope Has
Become Very Grave.
Doctors Are Alarmed at His
Continued Weakness.
Is Resting Less and Frequently
Falls Asleep.
HAD A PAINTING FIT.
Weakness Has Been Increasing
from Hour to Hour.
He Is Now Only Intermittently
Conscious.
HAD A PAINTING FIT.

Rome. July s. $50 P. M.-The pope's
condition is very grave His doctors are
alarmed at the continued weakness
which is complicated by certain func-
tional disorders. His holiness is rest
less and drowsy. frequently falling
asleep.
Paris, July S.-,A dispatch from Rome
says:
The condition of the pope has be-
come worse since morning, his weak
ness is increasing hour by hour, ne is
only intermittently conscious and a cat
astrophe is imminent"
London July S.-A special from Rome
filed at 2: 30 p. m. says the pope had an
other fainting fit today; that the action
OF his heart is very feeble and that his
condition has again become very crit
ical.
Rome July 8, 6:25 P. MA few mo-
ments ago DR.. Mazzoni was suddenly
called out of the sick chamber by Car
dinal RampOila and hurried whispered
consultation ensued. This gave rise to
all kinds of rumors, but it was soon sx
planned that Cardinal RampOlla had ia
ken upon himself the duty of acting al
mouth piece for some of the intimate
friends and relatives of the pope who
suggested the advisa bility of calling cer-
tain other doctors in consultation. d.
Mazzoni replied that he had not the
least objection to such a consultation,
but that the symptoms and course of
the disease were so clear and we'll de-
fined as to leave no doubt as to the
diagnosis. He therefore was unable 10
see the necessity for the step proposed.
No decision has yet been reached
about the matter
As can be seen by the morning bull
letin the pope's condition today is not
so favorable as it was last night due
to the fact that the Improvement after
the operation of yesterday has not as
sumed the proportions the doctors wish
ed. While the Inflammation of the lungs
is decreasing, the patients general con-
dition does not improve and there is a
tendency towards a radical change for
the worse. The pontff is extremely
weak and even chlOroform seems to
have lost its power to give the sufferer
the relief of tranquil rest. Besides, what
depresses the pope is the difficulty he
is experiencing in breathing. At times
he appears to be upon the point of
strangulation and then his breathing
gradually becomes weaker until his
heart apparently stops.
Another great preOccupatiOn of the
doctors is the arrangement OF the pa
TENTS Kidneys as a result OF which
blood poisoning is feared.
The outlook now is that the pope's
life may perhaps be prolonged more
than could have been expected thirty
six hours ago but the hopes of his re-
coVery are still very small
The following particulars were OBJ
tained of the doctors visit this morning
TO the pope:
How feels the pope?" asked DR.. MAJ
zoni
Il do not feel as well. 1 am weaker
replied the pontiff.
Perhaps you did not sleep sufficient
ly?"
NO. no." answered the pope. Il was
better last night. I'm sorry, because
CHI he q of
Surely" DR.. Mazzoni replied, his
holiness does not intend to work?"
Certainly" answered the pope. I
have so many things to do but 1 am
afraid l have not the strength"
Both of the doctors then proceeded to
convince the pontiff of the necessity for
him not to place obstacles in the way
of his recovery.
Il shall do as you wish.' said the
pope. in conclusion, with sigh of resig-
nation.
Afterwards his holiness expressed Il
desire to rise. saying he would be more
comfortable in his arm chair.
The pope's attendants, Pho Cintra,
then proceeded to help him to arise but
the pope refused his assistance, saying
he could still move by himself. In fact.
without any help except that afforded
by his cane. the pontiff walked a few
steps to his arm chair, repeating now
and then;
I am weaker. I am weaker"
Part of the work referred to by the
pope was to repeat a novena to the
Madonna of the Ceremites. whose feast
begins today. The pope is a very devOut
venerator of this Madonna.
The intense anxiety regarding the pom
tiff's conditions which is felt throughout
the United States is shown by the re-
ceipt of a very large number of tele-
grams from eminent American prelates
and lay Catholics in America. making
anxious inquiries and expressing the
hope that the prayers for his recovery
will be answered.
DR. Mazzoni, speaking about the pope
this afternoon remarked
1T has always been said that Pope
Leo has shown powers of extra raordinary
resistance tn diseases of the constitu-
ton He enjoys the absolute harmony
of all his organs and of his physical,
moral and intellectual qualities which
is the real cause of his great resistance
to illness. Notwithstanding his adj
Vanced years and his present sickness,
the pope has constitution capable of
enabling him to recover.
SThe difficulties and delicacy of the
moment are created by the personality
of the pope. He is a very sensitive
man and a person to whom a simple
injection OF caffeine causes great suf-
fering for about three hours Three
years ago when I operated on him for
a cyst, it was said he did not suffer
but in reality he did suffer intensely.
1.-The liquid taken yesterday from the
pIeura may gather again and another
operation may be necessary but I hope
not Some of the liquid may remain
and often the little which is left is spon-
taneously absorbed which may be the
case with the portiff"
A TRANQUIL NIGHT.
Rome. July S.-The physicians in at
tendance on Pope Leo at quarter to
1O o'clock this morning posted the fol-
lowing bulletin:
THE night passed TRANQUILITY enough,