New-York tribune., 1903-07-12
ALIVE BY STIMULANTS.
Doubt Thro1cn Upon Doctors
Cautious Statements.

Rome, July 12-'I think he will live 70 be one
hundred" said an Italian priest in the court
yard of the Vatican last night as he read the
latest bulletin regarding the Pope's condi-
ton. Il don't believe this bulletin" said
other. II don't either" chimed in third; but
ii doesn't do to say so here"
These expressions accurately represent the
hopeless difference of opinion exhibited by those
who have to rely for information regarding thu
Pontif's illness solely upon official bulletins.
Cardinal satolh said last evening that life was
only kept in the tired body Of the Pontih BY the
constant use of powerful stimulants, and other
persons equally reliable who saw the Popa
Yesterday and who had seen him on previous
days of his illness agree with Cardinal satolh
in saying that Death has made all his ravagss
save the separation of the soul and the body
Yet the doctors announce to the public that
Pope Leo's general condition is satisfactory.
CHANGES PREVENT PREDICTIONS
An explanation of the apparent contradiction
lies in the fact that the doctors expected His
Holiness to die long before this, and now are ex-
ercising in their bulletins excess Of caution
and a comparative method OF expression which
is incomprehensible to the lay mind.
The extraordinary vitality of the patient has,
so to speak. annihiIated every medical theory
held by doctors in Italy. so it is scarcely sur
prising that Drs. Rossoni. Mazzoni and Lapponi
content themselves with daily recording the
symptoms Of progression and retrogression
which succeed each other with such irregularity
as to forbid the risk OF making definite prog
nostication for the public In private they only
disagree as TO the number Of days the struggle
will last
Though science still may be unable to save
Pope Leo in his present Illness it has. at least.
afforded him practically a painless day. Since
Saturday morning His Holiness included in his
pontihcaI routine. a peaceful sleep. the duration
Of which gave rise to some alarm; several visits
from his doctors and audiences with four or
five cardinals. For a OF his age. in perfect
health. this Saturday would not have been an
idle
MGR vOLPINrs PROBABLE SUCCESSOR
The tremendous superiority Of the Pontin's
mind over his fraH frame be judged from
his actions yesterday regarding Monsignor Vol
pini Tired Of the insistent excuses made by
those who were trying to conceal from him the
fact Of Monsignor volpinFs death by saying
that he was i'll. Pope Leo exclaimed. Then we
must appoint a coadjutor" and he thereupon
solemnly declared that Monsignor Marini should
act as assistant to the man who was buried on
Friday.
The great oddty of the situation height
ened by the coincidence that MOnsignor Marini
himself was coadjutor to the secretary OF the
ConsistoriaI Congregation when Pope Plus TX
died He is now a substitute at the congrega-
ton Of Briefs This indication OF the wishes
Of His Holiness. though given under circunn-
stances OF pathetic concealment. is likely to
secure for Monsignor Marini the place made
vacant by the sudden death OF Monsignor Vol
pini.
Another incident showing the wonderful VI
tality of HIS Holiness occurred when the Pope
was told OF the pOstponement OF King Victor
Emmanuers visit to Paris on account OF the
Papal affection "Ah." said the PonA I'VE
know how chivalrous is the House o. Savoy
sven to its opDOnents." This remark makes "a