The exciting cause of the King's malady is obscure, like
the causes of most such complaints. Probably it was the result of strain and overwork which lowered his Majesty's vitality. In any case, the first serious symptoms seem to have appeared on the evening of the military tattoo at Aldershot, and it may have been that the King caught a chill on that evening. The rest enjoyed by the King -at Windsor, however, gave him relief, and it was fully hoped by his doctors that he would be able to get through the Coronation without an operation, even if one were necessary later. That was very strongly the wish of the King, and he fought bravely against the disease, declaring, it is said, that he must go to the Abbey, and that he could not disappoint the people. On Monday evening, however, the symptoms became graver, and on Tuesday morning it was discovered that an abscess existed, and that it must be dealt with at once. Tho actual operation was performed by Sir Frederick Treves. Sir Thomas Smith was also in attendance, as were Lord Lister, Sir Thomas Barlow, and Sir Francis Laking. -Dr. Hewitt administered the anaesthetic. All accounts agree that the King behaved with the greatest fortitude as well as good sense when once he was informed that an operation was essential.
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