The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-05-27
CAUSE OF KINGS
death DESCRIBED
Smokers Throat Had Gradually
Given the Heart Too Much Work To
Do-Could Have Lived Longer.


authoritative medical history OF King
Edwards illness and death Is taken
from the British Medical Journal and
may be taken as authoritative:
From medical point OF view the
case was perfectly simple, and the
stopping OF the machinery OF life was
4 duo 70 causes about which there is
nothing doubtful or mysterious. We
think II necessary to point this QUIZ
since the appearance on the bulletins
OF the mime OF a leading laryngoloist
gave rise TO a revival OF unfounde1
rumors which were current even De-
fore the deceased monarch came TO
a the throne.
Professor st. Clair Thompson had,
u however attended him on several oc'
casions during the last elgnteen
months; before that time Sir feiih
Semon had often been called on To
advise the king about his throat; IL
may be added that more than ~ years
ago he had been seen by the late Sir
Morell Mackenzie
Cracking Sound In Lungs.
For years the king had suffered
from emphysema Ca distension or the
cellular tissue) and a tendency 70
more or less acute bronchitis, with
the usual symptoms OF distressing ana
/ineffective cough and difficulty OF
breathing There was crepitation
(crackling sound at the bases OF
both lungs. indicating chrome I'M
pediment to the free passage or air
lin the smaller bronchial tubes.
He was subject to attacks or laryn-
gitis. producing a slight spasm OF the
vocal chords; but, except for some IN
hammatory thickening at the hinder
part OF the CLOTHS and chronic ca
#tarrh OF the throat. there was. we are
BIN a position to state, no trace OF dis
ease In the upper air passages.
The king, in short, had what Is
known as a smokers throat, and this
hnd the congestion and thickening due
10 this cause, combined with the loss
[Ibf elasticity in the lungs. made II In
creasingIy difficult for him TO clear
his chest. The strain thrown upon the
heart by the obstruction TO the pas
sage OF blood through the lungs caus-
I'D by the collection OF secretion In the
Bronchial tubes had its natural sequel
4 dilatation OF the right ventricle. and
he actual cause of death was heart
Failure due to the increasing difficulty
n the pulmonary circulation, IL was,
n short, a case OF type seen every
iay In thousands of elderly persons.
The cause OF death in such cases Is
purely mechanical. the action OF the
bver-laden heart being gradually stop
he'd by increasing resistance In the
ungs. Could the king have been In
'iuced to spare himself more he would
probably have lived many years long
pr.
Weak Spot After Operation.
His majesty had indeed suffered
Prom glycosuria condition resembling
|iiabetes) of varying degree for along
ime, but this did not. as far as can
be Judged, tend to the shortening OF
his life. Another condition which
must have caused considerable dis
comfort at times was a certain weak
ness I'm the abdominal wall at the site
liz the operation for appendicitis,
which was performed in 1902.
We only mention these infrmities
AZ the knowledge of what he had to
ndure must increase the admiration
which all Britons feel for the high
kourage and resolution Of the sover-
On whom they have lost. The state or
his health would have been reason
hble excuse for some degree OF valetu-
iinarianIsm. or this weakness the
ate king showed no trace.
A notable feature In him was the
blnck with which he bore himself not,
bnly in the illnesses which have been
mentioned. but during the painful per
cd when he was recovering from
Fractured patella Ozone OF the knee
tap). Although he always listened to
The advice of his physicians with re-
spect, he did not always follow 1t II
seemed 10 him TO stand in the way
bf the discharge of his duty.
II should be a comfort to his sub.
ects that he passed away peacefully.
before he had reached that stage OF
nyalidism which Is the frequent fate
bf sufferers from bronchial asthma.
Except for the conditions which
have been referred to, the king had
III lately been a remarkably healthy
man. He led a strenuous life, and II
may be said that since he assumed
the sceptre he seldom, II ever, had
. what the humblest OF his subjects
would call a real holiday Even his
socfal activity, which he thoroughly
enjoyed. he may be said to have look
f ed upon as part Of the days work.
There is probably no man in these
Realms who worked harder or more
conscientiously than Edward VII.
He delighted TO live among his peo-
ple. and he shirked no engagement
THAT might help to promote good will
among the nations. But more than a
wear ago the strain began to tell on
his robust constitution, and from that
time on his recuperative powers grew