The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-07-15
THE P0PE'ss CONDITION.
Statement Made from the Sick
Room Wednesday Might
kepr Alive by stimulents.

Rome, July al. Is a. m.-The lie
of pope Leo continues to hang by a
thread, with the expectation that any
moment nav bring the final catastro-
nhe. Yet the wonderful vitality of the
remarkable old man is combating q
complication of diseases which would
endanger a strong man IN the prime
of life. It would appear that everyone
in the Vatican is obliged to give way
TO oyerpowering fatigue, SO much more
tranauil IS IL in the palace than out
side. people being still congregated
ON the plaza of st. Peters as this dis
patch was fled. The corner OF the
PALACE. which remained lighted the
longest was the apartment of Cardinal
RamDolla, where the lights were ex-
tinguisbed only a short time alter
those in the room where Mgre Vol
poni, one of the Pontif's most init
mate friends, is lying in serious con-
dition as a result OF the attack OF syn
cope that he suffered today. Pope Leo
as though he had second sight, has
asked several times why Mgre Voiponl
has not been to see him. Naturally
the condition of Mgre Volponi has
been kept from the Pope.
Throughout yesterday the reports
from the sick room alternated with
fears and hopes. At times rumors OF
the graFest character gained currency.
Out of the mass Of contradictory re-
ports the essential features. OF the
Pope,s actual condition are indicated
in the bulletins issued at 8. 45 yester-
day morning and al. s. 15 last evening,
bearing the signatures OF thgtWo at
teding physicians. Their Official bull
letin was supplemented in the course
of personal conversation IN winch
they, showed that they entertained
scarcely any hopes OF recovery. Yet
they always qualified their statements,
setting forth the remarkable constltu-
tional strength and indomitable energy
of the patient as the most striking
evidence of his almost superhuman
will. They instanced the dying man s
leaving his bed during the morning
and taking several steps, unaided save
by cane, to an arm chair. When
this became known, many were d1s-
posed TO criticise the doctors for per-
hitting such an exhausting effort, but
it was explained that the entire alb
sence of fever, the temperature being
even below normal eliminated the
danger of syncope from this exertion.
Moreover, the attending physicians
recognized that they were bathing
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 favor
able to the sufferer. The encouraging
conditions are further augmented by
the constant use of artificial means OF
exhilaration, including a steady sup
Except for the brief time he passed
in the arm chair, the Pope lay in bed
throughout the day, shiftig his posi-
tion frequently without assistance,
and occasionally taking small
draught of diluted wine with the yolks
of eggs. The only solid food he has
taken is calves brains and meat broth.
The later official bulletin. following
consultation between Drs. Lapponl
and Mazzoni, completely contradlcteo
the alarmist report, and gave most
favorable statement. This was dis
closed in the improved pulse, bette!
respiration and ameliorated general
condition. DR.. Mazzoni said IN con-
yersation following the issuance OF the
SIS D. NJ, bulletin that, while the
Pope's condition still continued des-
perate, recovery was not entirely I'M
possible.