NEWS OF THE WEEK.
WE deeply regret to record that the unfavourable prognosis of the disease in the Crown Prince's throat has proved to be the correct one. The " thickening" of the larynx, which we mentioned last week as the most serious symptom, became on Wednesday so pronounced as to alarm the physicians, and on Thursday suffocation was so imminent that it was felt necessary to resort to tracheotomy at once. The operation was performed "successfully," and the Prince was enabled to breathe through a silver tube ; but that is all that can be said. The telegrams about his condition, which have hitherto been hopeful and false, are hopeful still ; but there is no doubt that grave reasons for ap- prehension exist. The tube in no way cures the disease, which has lasted long, and is a violent inflammation of the cartilages of the larynx ; and until that is arrested, the danger is always extreme. The single chance for the Prince, to speak plainly, is that when the unsound cartilages are eaten away, the disease may stop, leaving him voiceless but healthy. We trust, as we have said elsewhere, that those responsible for the Prince will now issue accurate bulletins, and so permit his millions of well-wishers to judge for themselves of his condition. His life is more im- portant to Europe than the result of most battles, and Generals tell the truth about them.
