Evening star., 1936-12-05
Refuses to Permit
Bloodletting by
Physicians.
RECENT OVERWORK
HELD RESPONSIBLE
All Activities Cancelled.
First Day in Bed Since
Taking Throne.
- the Associated Press.

- the Associated Press.
VATICAN CITY, December S.
Piux XII, benign, 79-year-old Pope Of
Cancellation" was stricken today by
slight paralysis In both legs and some
high prelates said he might never
walk again.
His spirit brave, he spent his first
day in bed since he assumed the lead
ership of the Catholic Church II
years ago, completely resigned, Of
1icials said, to either becoming better
or worse.
II am in the hands of God" q
high prelate quoted him as saying.
Physicians, lowering anxiously about
the holy father. told him a slight
bloodletting would relieve his blood
pressure and spare him discomfort.
Can Move Limbs Slightly.
The Pontiff, able to move his limbs
slightly, but not to lift them, refused.
That the Pope's left leg was par
alyzed was discovered this morning
by his personal attendant when he
began to assist his holiness to arise.
The paralysis, said oficials, later
was found to have spread to the right
leg.
For some weeks, the Pope has been
troubled by q heaviness of limb. But
today's paralysis. it was stated au-
thoritatively, was due primarily to q
combination Of high blood pressure
and arterio sclerosis. Other parts
Of his body were weak.
For the time being-(perhaps due to
the Pope's disinclination to seek i'm
mediate medical relief no physicians
bulletins were issued. All the Pontiff 8
scheduled activities, as . matter of
course, were Cancelled.
"Sliyht Local Disturbance"
However, early this afternoon an Of
hcial notice stated the Pontif1 was
suffering from q slight local dis
turbance" due to his prodigious labor
Of the past few weeks.
Ofncials said the Vatican physician
had prescribed "restful and quiet"
conditions, which the Holy Father ac-
cepted reluctantly.
Nevertheless, he continued to sign
letters from his bed and to transact
some other business with complete
good cheer" well informed persons
afnrmed
Oficial Vatican circles held out op-
timistic hopes for the Pope's recovery.
But it was recalled his trouble today
was presaged by his general physical
condition during the last three years.
They remember his recent remark
TO = high Vatican ofiicial: lowing to
our great age, we must always be
ready and prepared for the final call" {"
Doctor at Side Constantly.
DR.. Amanti Milani was called to At
tend the Pontiff and has remained
constantly at the Pope's bedside, prel-
ates said.
The Pope's condition was discovered
early this morning by his valet, NAL
vestiti, when he attempted to assist
the Holy Father In arising, church Of
ncials reported.
The prelates declared the Pope was
unable to get out of bed. DR.. MilanI
was called and made An immediate
examination.
The result. persons close to the Vat
lean declared, was determination the
Holy Father had been stricken with
paralysis, which, 1t was said, Is feared
70 be progressive.
The paralysis was attributed by the
attending physicians to Inflammation
Of the heart.
Kin Stricken In Same Way.
Some recalled that both the Pontiff'l
mother and elder brother. Fermo, were
etricken In the same way.
Fermo spent the last year Of his life
In an armchair. which, some believed
may be the case with the Pope.
This morning, the Pope was to have
attended the closing ceremony OF the
retreat which he began last Sunday
night.
When it was found he could not
arise, nix cardinals and Q group Of
tsee POPE, Page AID