Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-07-15
GROWS WEAKER.
Pope's Wonderful Vitality Alone
Keeps Him Alive.
His Condition, Last Night, Nest
Dangerous Of His Illness.
Realizes Gravity of Illness During His
Lucid Moments.

| Rome, July 1910 A. M.-Another
remarkable rally in Pope Leos condi-
ton occurred, yesterday afternoon af-
! ter morning, in the course of which
His Holiness suffered spells of delirium
and at times his strength sank to the
| lowest ebb, and now tonight, he lies in
no worse condition than he was on
Monday evening, except for the steady
dilnunition of his strength. Monsignor
/ Bisleti, master Of the chamber, visited
the sick room, just after midnight. and
on emerging stated that the Pontiff's
condition was unchanged A little later
the Pope fell into a sleep which it has
just been announced is fairly TRANQUIL,
although the patients respiration is
| troublesome.
Yesterdays rally was characteristic
cally opposed to every medical theory
and consisted in getting out of bed. on
which two hours previously the Pope
himself had made all preparations for
death. dissatisfied with this exhibition
or vitality he transacted private BUSH
ness and received four cardinals, with
whom he talked in an animated way.
In fact, Pope Leo's record for yester-
day, little of which appeared in last
nights official bulletin, would be in
credible if it We're not confirmed by the
doctors and cardinals present in the
sick chamber. None seemed more per-
picked than the doctors themselves. DR..
Lapponi said, frankly: Il cannot imag-
inc how the Pope manages to keep
alive
According to the physicians the Pom
tiff may die at any moment, even in
hn dot NF NP 4
intervals when his mind and body pre-
! sent comparatively sound appearance.
All those around the patient have long
since ceased to hold definite opinions
regarding the duration of the Pope's
existence.
The slow but progressive dminution
of the strength of the august patient
foretells the approaching end of the
struggle with death, but the doctors will
not venture to predict how near the
end it. Constant relapses, they say,
such as created alarm early yesterday,
are gradually wearing down the Pope's
constitution, which seems immune from
any specific disease.
Most persons are inclined to the idea
that Pope Leo may go through perhaps
two or three repetitions of yesterdays
ups and downs, till, as Dr. Rossini puts
it, his pulse stops forever"
Three causes may accelerate the emu:
viz. continued inability to take nourish-
ment, which was exhibited, today sud-
den heart failure or the progression of
pleuric disease. The latter is thought
the least probable. AS day succeeds
day it becomes pathologcally clear that
it is case of very old man dying be-
L.
The Pope himself, yesterday after
noon. ordered the four cardinals to be
admitted and received them standing.
he, who is supposed to be at the point
of death. saying: please be seated"
He recounted the impressive ceremony
of the morning when he received the
benediction of the FRANCISCAN order.
The cardinals informed him of the
worldwide prayers for his life. Pope
Leo answered that he was much graft
fed but that he was ready for his final
departure, concluded by saying: Gods
will be DONE
Even more striking was the Pope'S
interview with his secretary, Mgr An
CELL. His Holiness sent for him, saying
he wished to see certain papers, which
the secretary brought, then after short
explanation Mgr. Angel wished to get
the Pope's decision on the matter, but
Pope Leo said: well, well, not today.
We will do that some other time"
A curious controversy is proceeding
between the Vatican medical body,
composed of 10 doctors of lesser inn
portance than DR.. Lapponi and severaT
foreign physicians over the embalming
of Pope Leo's body. Several foreigners
having offered processes of embalming,
each more wonderful than the other,
the Papal doctors unearthed Pontifical
bulls giving the right to embalm the
Pope solely to the Vatican medical
body.
Rome, July 15.-1.20 A. Mater
midnight the Pope's sleep seemed tram
quill enough. although his breathing at
ti,pes was difficult