Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-08-14
POPE Plus STILL IMPROVING
Extreme Optimism on Part of Many
is Misplaced.
GETS BETTER VERY SLOWLY
Two weeks Must Yet EIapse Before
POntiff Can BE said to he Con
vaIescent ~ All Goes
well.


ROME. Aug. 13-The feeling of extreme
pessimism that prevailed with the masses
until Thursday concerning the health OF
Pope Plus has now given way to great
optimism Up to Thursday, when change
for. the better was noticed. there were
those who believed the end was approach
ing. To-day the same persons Gce respon-
sible for reports ip circulation that the
holy father is almost well--that'he is walk
ing about his room. and even working
These reports are absurd The Truth Is
that while the Improvement has been
steady, It also has been slow and the tenn
perature Of the patient stu remains slightly
above normal. The violence OF the pains
in the groutX leg has decreased but still
is troublesome at intervals. and while the
swelling of the affected member is less than
during the early part Of the week, 1t still
is of such proportions as to prevent the
normal use Of the leg. Above all, however
the weakness of the pontiff and the de-
preston that has fallen upon him are far
from having been overcome, and in the
opinion OF the physicians. remain the great
est drawback to mis- ultimate recovery.
Heat would Bring Relapse.
If all goes we'll, the doctors say, espe-
cially If the weather remains cool, two
weeks must elapse before the pontiff enters
into convalescence. IL there should be a
return of the excessive heat serious fears
are entertained of relapse. Their orders
are that the patient shall remain within
his chamber, practically upon his bed
That he is permitted now and then TO sit
in his armchair is because of desire to
relieve the restlessness which is caused by
the pontiffs being compelled to lie for
hours in one position
To the physicians the respiratory organs
of the pope are another possible source Of
danger His present illness started with
an attack of laryngitis, which also affected
the trachea. In addition his holiness for
years has suffered from a species Of
chronic catarrh which ne has neglected
to treat.
Able to Eat More.
Today Drs. Petacci and Marchiafava re-
ported that the general condition of their
patient was relatively satisfactory"
While the temperature still was slightly
above normal and the depression continued,
favorable symptom, in their opinion, was
that the pontiff was able to take more
nourishment. During the day he a.e the
yolks Of three eggs and two bowls Of
chicken broth, and drank a pint of steri-
liked milk. His holiness remained in bed,
saying his leg was much easier. He seemed
stronger than yesterday and suffered less
pain. During the afternoon he had long
conversation with Cardinal Merry Del Val,
the papal secretary of state, whom he
uged to go to his summer home, saying
that he felt sure he would recover
The work Of remodelling the pope's old
apartment Is stil proceeding. In addition
to pulling down an intervening wall and
making a larger room, 1t has been decided
to renovate 1t entirely by replacing the
floor, ceiling and furnishings. The idea
is to give his holiness entirely new and
hygienic apartment. 1t will not be ready
until winter, it is desired to have the
new ceiling entirely dry before the pope
occupies the room