The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-09
POPE LEO's. LIFE
HANGS BY THREAD.
tBy Associated Press.)

Il ROME. July 9--1:15 "A. M-The life Of
Pope Leo continues to hang by a. thread
with the expectation that any moment
my bring the final catastrophe It is the
vitality Of the remarkable old man, which
"a combating a combina ton Of disease,
which would endanger a man in the prime
of life. 1t would appear that every ona
at the Vatican is obliged to give way
to overpowering fatigue. so much more
Tranquil Is 1t in the palace than outside,
people heing still congregated on the
fled The corner Of the palace. which
remained lighted the longest, was the
apartment Of Cardinal Rampolla, where
the lights were extlnguished only short
time after those In the room where the
Monsignor Volpon one OF the Pontin,s
most intimate friends, is lying In serl-F
GUS condition as a result OF an attack OF
syncope that he suffered to-day.
Pope Leo, as though he had second
sight, has asked several times why Mon
signor volponi has not been to see him.
Naturally the condition of Monsignor
Fears and Hopes.
Throughout yesterday the reports from
the sick room altcrnated with fears and
hopes At times rumors or the sraVest
character gained currency.
Out of the mass of contradictory re-
ports the essential features OF the ropes
actual condition are indicated In the pull
letins issued at 9:45 yesterday morning
and at S:15 last evening. bearing the Sig
natures of the two attending doctors.
Their official bulletin was supplementea
~ the course Of personal conversation,
In which they showed that theS enter
tained scarcely any hopes OF recovery.
Yet they always quallhed tneis, sta.e-
ments, setting forth the r remalkaole con-
atit,,tional strength and indom!table en-
ercy of the patient as the most Striking
a,iSences of his almost superhunan VIII.
T-hey nstanced the dying mans leaving
his bed during the morning and taxing
several steps unalded SAW SAW pS q e11'o ~
an armchair.
when this become known many were
dtsnosed to criticize the doctors for per-
hitting such an exhausting effort DUE is
VAS explained that the entire absence ot
fever. the temperatpre ne1ng & even y, pe,uw sun.
cone from this exertion. Moreover, tns
attanding physicians recognized that they
were battling with a. man OF iron Will.
| who does not know the meaning OF re-
straint. Fortunately MI the climatic con-
ditions in Rome for the time pelns arc
IA yornble to the sufferer.
rrI,e encouraging conditions are further
augmented by the constant use OF sIu-
Aciai means of eShllaratlon, Including
steady supplies OF oxygen.
Recovery Not Impossible.
Except for the brief time he passed IN
| tha armchair. the Pope lay In bed
throughout the day, shifting his position
frequently without assistance. and occa-
sionally 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 a
consultation between Drs Lapponl and
Mazzoni completely contradicted the
alarmist reports, and gave most favor
able statement. This was disclosed In the
| improved pulse, better respiration and
ameliorated general condition, DR., Maz-
zoni said in a converse tion following the
| Issuance of the SID r. NJ. bulletin. that
| while the Pope's condition still continued
desperate. recovery was not entirely I'M
| nos sibls.