Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-08-20


DR.. Marchiafava was about TO leave
the Vatican for time, owing to the
amelioration of symptoms. He said
that nothing early in the morning had
indicated the grave crisis which had
come. on rapidly. Shortly after he left,
Dr. Amici examined the patient. He
explained that the sudden collapse
was due TO the Pontiff's age and the
equity affection which always COM
bine to give bronchial catarrh of an
acute nature most serious character.
DR.. Amici further explained that the
Pontiffs diminished vitality caused by
old age might render his illness fatal.
The practice Of living in heated rooms
and breathing the vitiated atmosphere,
as the result of large assemblages in
the Papal apartments, was against
him, and he added that the people
would now understand why the at
tending physicians were strongly OPP
posed to the resumption by the Pope
of collective audiences.
At times during the day the Pope had
much difficulty in breathing. He suffered
much of headache and inability to rid
himself of the accommodations in the
lungs
StimuIants Administered
stimulants were injected and oxygen
administered. Several times the Pontiff
revived and seemed much better. He
would then speak to those about him and
insist that his desires be executed. In
one of these intervals he asked for Mon
signor Rosa, who was recently appointed
secretary of the Consistorial Congrega-
ton. Monsignor Rosa had been an init
mate friend of the Pope since the Pontiff
was bishop of Treviso.
AS soon as he was notified he rushed
to the Vatican and was Immediately ad-
mitted to the apartment where the Pope
was lying. Monsignor Rosa remained
alone with the Pope and the incident was
considered significant, as owing to his
present position Monsignor Rosa would
be secretary of the conclave in case OF
the death of the Pope. 1t is thought that
the Pope confided to him his last wishes.
Cardinals Informed
Cardinal Merry Del Val, the papal Sec
rotary, telegraphed to all the cardinals.
notifying them of the grave condition
from which the Pope was suffering.
Call Faithful to Prayer
The ring of the church bells an
nounced to the faithful the exposition
Of the Holy Sacrament and calling
them to prayer for the restoration of
the Pontiff to health. This gave rise
Of rumors of the Pope's death which
the Vatican denied, owing to the many
inquiries from all quarters.
The Popes last Illness began al
most coincidentally with the great war
in Europe. Those close to him believe
that grief over the situation brought
on the final crisis and so overwhelmed
him that he was unable in his S0th
year to withstand still another attack
of his old enemy. equity catarrh.
Rrooded Over War
Ill health had been the Pontiff's lot
for many years and intermitently
the attacks have been so serious that
the world was prepared several times
to hear of his passing. During the
summer there had been numerous de-
malls from the Vatican that his tn,
disposition was serious, AS late as
Aug. 10 last, upon the occasion of
the 18th anniversary of his corona
ton, Pope Plus granted numerous au-
diences. Two days later it became
known that he had cancelled virtual
ly all engagements. His attendants
reported that he was unable to work
and that he sat listless and silent for
hours, evidently brooding over the
great clash of arms in Europe.
His physician, DR.. Marchiafava, or
IAI{
| when 1t was announced that the war
and the intense heat in Rome had
combined to depress him. In bed. he
continued to dream of the conflict by
night and to discuss it by day.
1T shall not cease to implore, God
F. to put q stop to this inhumap butch.