TOPICS OF THE DAY.
THE KING'S ILLNESS.
THE King of England lies on a bed of sickness ; and yet, that there is not one of his subjects acquainted with the nature and seat of the disease by which he is attacked, a perusal of the bulletins leaves no doubt. This indicates something radically wrong in the first domestic establishment of the empire. When a poor man is ill, his friends seek the best advice for him ; and if the physician is doubtful of the nature of his complaint, consultations are held, and his doors are opened wide to receive every assistance that science affords ; and why, we may ask, is the King deprived of the aid which is not with- holden from his meanest subject ? It is well known that the diseases of the heart and lungs were in a manner hidden till LOENNEC re- moved the veil which concealed them, and discovered the means of conveying directly to our senses a knowledge of the precise nature and extent of the alterations to which these organs are subject. It is equally notorious, that there are only a few young medical practi- tioners in this country who have had opportunities of acquiring skill in the use of the sthetoscope (the instrument invented by LOENDIEC); which being in general use only on the Continent, must be best han- dled by those who have resided and studied there of late years. How is it that such men are not consulted?
• We are induced to put these questions, not only because his Ma- jesty should have every possible succour that can add to the chances of recovery, but on account of the loss and inconvenience which a large part .of the commercial interests are exposed to by the unpro- fessional and unmeaning bulletins issued by the physicians in at- tendance on the King. It has been urged that the perusal of such bulletins by the royal patient, might .operate against his safety : but we know that tech- nical terms, which are employed on all other occasions, produce less apprehension than such hints at water in the chest, diseased heart, as the absurd and empty expressions of" embarrassed breathing" suggest.
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