Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1903-07-10
LIFE Of POPE
IS EbB|NG AWAY
Aged Pontiff Catches Cold,
Which Settles in His
Chest and Head.
ALL HOPE HAS DISAPPEARED
Operation Performed for the Re-
moval Of the Liquor from the
Pleura-Revives Temporarily, But
Strength Is Fast Failing.

Rome, July 6.-Rumors and reports
of more or less foundation in fact
regarding the failing health of the
pope seem to have been replaced by
definite conviction among the ply
sicians of His Holiness and also
among the higher Vatican circles that
Leo XIII probtbly has not much longer
to live.
The Publishers Press correspond
ent, after the most searching inter-
views possible under the circumstances
Is able to state that the pope has slept
hardly a moment during the past SO
hours, is weaker than he has been ut
any time since his health began to per-
ceptibiy fail and Is the subject Of the
gravest alarm to his physicians and
of almost hysterical fear to his immed-
late encourage.
In spite Of his recent increased
weakness His Holiness in direct vio-
lation of the warnings of DR.. Lapponi,
left his bed for the purpose of receiv.
ing a deputation Of Hungarian pill.
grims. During the audience with the
Hungarian Catholics, the pope seem.
ed indubitably more peeked and feeble
than at any time recently during the
many audiences he has granted. His
appearance did not belle his greatly
weakened condition and after the aud.
fence it became plain that the effort
had been too much for him. During
the afternoon he tainted and had to
be revived with stimulants by DR..
Lapponi, who, after the fainting spell,
hastily called in the aid of DR.. MAJ.
zoni, one of the best known practi-
TONERS in Rome.
Rome, July 9.-1:15 a. m.-The life
of Pope Leo continues to hang by a
thread with the expectation that any
moment may bring the final catas.
trophe.
Throughout yesterday the reports
from the sick room alternated with
fears and hopes. At times rumors of
the gravest character gained currency.
Out Of the mass of contradictory re.
ports the essential features of the
pope's actual conditions are indicated
in the bulletins issued at 9:45 yester-
day morning and at 8:15 last evening,
bea ring the signatures Of the two at.
tending physicians. The early bulletin
was noticeably free from technical
language. During the night the pope
had secured but little refreshing sleep,
and with this sleeplessness was aug
mented depression. The difficulty in
breathing had increased, and a de-
rangement of the kidneys began to
seriously manifest itself. These COM
plications were fully and frankly
stated by the doctors. ........ =.
Their official bulletin was supple
mented in the course of personal con-
versation in which they showed that
they entertained scarcely any hopes
Of recovery. Yet they always quail
fed their statements, setting forth the
remarkable constitutional strength
and indomitable energy of the patient
as the most striking evidence of his
almost superhuman will. They in.
stanced the dying mans leaving his
bed during the morning and taking
several steps, unaided save by a cane,
to an armchair.
When this became known many
were disposed to criticise the doctors
for permitting such an exhausting ef-
fort, but it was explained that the en-.
tire absence Of fever, the temperature
being even below normal, eliminated
the danger Of syncope from this exer.
zion. Moreover, the attending physi.
clans recognized that they were bat.
Ting with man Of iron will. who
dose not know the meaning Of re-
straint
Rome, July 10.-The condition Of
Pope Leo at times yesterday morning
seemed so favorable that the hopeful
DR.. Mazzoni and the more conservative
Lapponi united in expressing the belief
that there was some slight prospect of
recovery but within few hours these
brighter prospects disappeared before
The most alarming conclusions reached
after the lengthy consultation Of the
doctors. The earlier hopes had been
inspired largely by the pontiff's out
ward evidence Of vigor, as he was
able to rise, walk and command all his |
faculties but the later consultation dis.
closed that these outward evidences
of strength were entirely deceptive
IS the real danger consisted IN IN.
gradual internal progress Of the IN.
sidlous disease.
The mere fact Of the Communication
IN itself, gave rise to the gloomiear
,6rst actual TAo1ts 9. .ingieinthA ueH
forebodings. Indeed. this was tia |
nrst actual consultation. % tie nre.
vicus frequent meetings Of the doctor, |