New-York tribune., 1903-07-09
THE GRADUAL DECLINE.
POpe's Weakness More Marked
VOIDOni Stricken.


Rome. July . O;15 a. m.)-The life OF PcD.
Leo continues to hang by thread with the
expectation that any moment may bring the
final catastrophe. Yet the wonderful vitality OF
the remarkable old man Is combating a COM
Pication Of diseases which would endanesr q
strong man in the prime OF life
1t would appear that every one in the Vatican
Is obliged to give way to overpOwering fatigue.
so much more tranquil is it IN the palace than
outside. people being still in crowds on ths
piazza OF st. Peters. The corner Of the paIae.
which remained lighted the longest was ths
apartment OF Cardinal RampoIla. where .hs
lights were extinguished only a short time aftes
those in the room where Monsiguor volponi. ons
OF the Pontiff's most intimate friends. is lying
IN serious condition as result Of the attack
| OF syncope that he suffered to-day. Pope Leo.
as If he had second sight, has asked several
times why Monsignor volponi has not been to
see him Naturally, the condition OF DIonsignor
Volponi has been kept from the Pope
MANY VARYING RUMoRs-
Through the day the reports from the sick
room have alternated with fears and hopes. AT
times rumors of the gravest character have
| gained currency. Out OF the mass OF contra
dictory reports the essential features OF the
Pope's actual condition are indicated in the
bulletins issued at Gas yesterday morning and
| at S:15 last evening. bearing the signatures OF
the two attending doctors.
The early bulletin was noticeably free from
technical language. During the night the Pope
secured little refreshing sleep. and with this
| sleeplessness was augmented the depression
The difficulty in breathing had increased. and a
arrangement of the kidneys began seriously TO
manifest itself. These complications were fully
and frankly stated by the doctors.
Their official bulletin was supplemented by
statements in which they showed that they en-
| tertained scarcely any hopes Of recovery. They
| always qualified their remarks. however. by
setting forth the remarkable constitutional
strength and indomitable energy of the patient
as the most striking 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 armchair.
SOLE CRITICISM OF DOCTORS.
When this became known many were disposed
to critcise the doctors for permitting such an
! exhausting effort, but 1t explained that the
entire absence Of fever. the temperature being
below nom l. eliminated the danger OF syncops
from this exertion. Moreover. the attending
physicians recognized that they were battling
with man of iron will who does not know the
meaning Of restraint
Fortunately. all the climatic conditions In
Rome for the time being are favorable 10 ths
sufferer The air is cool and pleasant. and
there is a complete absence Of the enervating
sirocco which depresses and kills. The bright
sunshine streams into the PaDal apartment
Encouraging conditions are further increased by
the constant use Of artificial means Of exhila-
ration. including steady supplies Of oxygen
Except for the brief time he passed in the
armchair the Pope lay in bed through the day.
shifting his position frequently without assist
ance. 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 consul
tation between Drs. Lapponi and Mazzoui,
completely contradicted alarming reports and
gave a most favorable statement Improvement
was shown by the impro-ed pulse. better res
piration and ameIiorated general condition Dr.
Mazzoni said In a conversation following the
issue Of the sis p. m. bulletin that, while the
Pope's condition still continued desperate. re-
covery was not entirely impossible
Some elements in the population of Rome. in
/ Guiding few who are high in the council Of the
/ Vatican. are inclined to east doubt on the SIN
! certify Of the bulletins. This led during the day
TO a strong movement I'm favor of calling other
/ physicians The theory of the initiators Of this
movement was that Drs. Lapponi and Mazzoui
/ had misjudged the disease. taking for pneu-
| nonia what was really pleurisy- Both docso-s
accepted the idea Of a consultation with any OF
their colleagues
/ ANOTHER SPECIALIST To BE CALLED.
Many eminent specialists have been pro-
| posed. but it is stated late tonight that Il
has practically been determined that DR.. Ros-
sini shall be called in if another consultation
Is decided upon. However. Dr. Mazzoni stated
tonight that in his opinion. there was no i'm
rninent need Of a consultation. and that one
would not be held unless the present conditions
changed.
Groups OF silent. curious people watched the