The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-08
POPE LEO CLINGING TOLIFE
Sleeping This Morning Under the Influence of nr,Ios
After undergoing an Operation on TUESDAY,.

made full report to him as to how the
Pope had passed the night. When he En-
tered the sickroom Pope Leo smiled benevo-
iently at DR.. Mazzoni. but seemed not to
nave sufficient strength to speak.
Inc doctor asked: How is your Holi-
ness?"
To this inquiry the Pontiff, in a faint
voice. replied: Il have no illusion and am
resigned"
Ihen he raised his eyes while his ups
moved. evidently in prayer. The doctors
tnen proceeded to make most minute OK
animation of the patient, listening to his
breathing and testing his lungs. At 9:20
a. m. they issued the following bulletin:
Inc Pope passed restless night, with
out steep. Nourishment. however, has been
more freely taken and the general condi-
s sIon Oh the patient is a little more reassur-
Ils An objective examination shows a
CnIahge I5g In the right of the thorax, and the
IiIudie loDe OF the lung, which, up to yes-
leruay, did not permit the passage of air
now allows the air to penetrate. On the
other her nand, the interior zone has become
more oDtuse, and the transmission of vocal
ana tactlle vibration is wanting This leads
10 the belief that there is LIQUID i'm the
ple9ra. An experimental incision will be
so much so as to render the renal function
lnsufnclent and to cause cyanosis in last
phalanSeS OF the hands,
THE PLEURA PUNCTURED
Inc pleura was punctured with Pravaz
syringe at IL o'clock The calmness with
which the Pope Underwent the ordeal of
the operation was one of the most remark
able evidences of fortitude that he had
gwen In his whole life After a lengthy
conference the doctors concluded it was
advisable to operate for pleurisy, the pri-
mary purpose being to explore the affected
parts. They hoped incidentally to draw off
the collected fluid. When their determina-
tion was communicated to the Pontiff he
showed no anxiety On the contrary. he
submitted very willinglI expressing the
nope that good results might come recall
ing the successful results following Dr.
Mazzonfs operation years ago.
AS the operation was not of a capital ma
ture suggesting the use of chloroform or
other anaesthetic, the Pope Law on his bed
with his left side exposed below the armpit
10 the waist. Only the two doctors and two
personal attendants We're within the cham
per per, me immediate direction of the opera
uon devolved on DIR. Mazzoni, who handled
the instruments and made the preparatory
arrangements. First a slight incision was
made in the side of the venerable patient
A solution of alcohol and corrosive sub
Innate was then injected and cocaine was
used to deaden the sensation. The point
OF the operation was just below the sew
enth rib and the operation itself consisted
IN the insertion of a large Pravaz needle
syringe: This penetrated to the region
where the matter had accumulated and by
means of suction slowly drew il off Under
the skillful guidance of Mazzoni the opera
ton scarcely occupied over four minutes.
LEO MANIFESTED NO PAIN.
The Pope manifested no pain whatever
neither was there the slightest culver of
moral dread from the operation In the
language of one of the doctors the cocaine
so deadened the parts that the Pontiff felt
no more.than slight pin prick
So soon as the liquid was drawn off by the
suction needle the patient felt great relief,
owing to the removal of the pressure of the
liquid on the lung and simultaneously the
doctors could hear air passing through that
zone which this morning declared to
De lmpervfouS, owing TO congestion. From
pathological standpoint the free pass
age of air was considered satisfactory
but more so were the results, the mental
and physical relief which it brought to the
Pope He Immediately showed exhil-
arating spirit With a slight smile he
whispered his thankfulness and bestowed
benedictions on the doctors bending over
him. The Pontiff even stroked DIR. MAJ
zOni's face in the benevolent way which
is characteristic of him. Then with one
hand he rearranged his position. closed his
eyes and in few minutes passed into a
calm, healthful sleep. The doctors re-
mained by the Popes side noting the reg
ularity of his breathing and pronounced
the operation to have been in every way
successful and leaving no perceptible ad-
verse results.
The Pope this morning expressed the de-
sire of again taking communion, notwith-
standing the fact that he received the last
communion on Sunday and extreme JUNCTION
yesterday. Monsignor Marzaloni, one of
the chamberlains, therefore performed both
ceremonies. The Pope showed great seren-
ity, repeating that he felt quite prepared to
leave the world. In spite of this he
and then expressed the hope that he might
Nyat Pnntiff affprward
his niece and Count Canal, her husband,
who came from their home in the country
to see him again.
By the Pope's express desire all his re-
lations have been to see him to-day. The
scene was most touching. His nephews,
tered te 1.-THE the re room m sobbing His Holiness
soothed them, saying: Il feel the moment
approaching when 1 must leave you. Say
our last goodbye. 1 am about to enter
eternal life. But do not grieve for me.
L am about to enter my real happiness"
Before leaving the room they all kissed
the hand of the Pontiff reverently, fearing
il was for the last time.
THE POPE'S QUESTIONS.
Since this morning, when first informed
that an operation would, perhaps, be neces-
sary, his Holiness began to inquire about
it. Turning to DR.. Lapponi with his usual
familiarity, he asked: will it be painful?
Remember, cannot stand much pain
swered: II can assure your Holiness that
Won will feel no pain. little cocaine will
deaden all sensation"
Pope Leo retorted at once: Remember
YOU said the same thing when you extract
ed that cyst a few years ago."
DIR. Mazzoni replied: THAT operation
went very well, but this can hardly be called
The Pope concluded: Then do whatever
you think best
allowed in the room beside the doctors ex-
cent pope Leo's valet. Pho Contra. Even
his nephew Count Camille Pecci, left the
room TO await, with extreme anxiety in an
adioining hall. the result. The doctors, de-
string a strong light, had the window wide
Iy onened. but, as it faces the bed, the light
cfrepded the weak eyes of the Pontiff, SO
tbot In was thought desirable that he should
,ax,erse his position. AS soon this was
.,rnnosad the Pope himself made move
Pncnt showing again that spirit of activity
and Denomination which seems constantly
90 irsnire him. DR.. Mazzoni, however, did
not give him time TO leave the bed. but.
taking him in his arms, literally turned the
pnntiff about Pope Leo smiled and ex-
l,oinaad. ..Bravo, professor! / congratulate
10, Although 1 have become so light,
yy,,nst still be rather heavy.
eotb the doctors laughed, and were at
~, saY,e time astonished at the brightness
&c the Pontiff when oppressed by hard and
ha fnf of