The World - News from Oct. 13, 1988

Emperor Hirohito, who has been bedridden with intestinal hemorrhaging for three weeks, has grown weaker as his anemia and jaundice worsen, Imperial Palace officials said. Doctors gave the 87-year-old emperor more blood in an attempt to reduce the anemia, palace spokesman Kenji Maeda said. But officials said Hirohito’s strength was declining because doctors are unable to supply enough nutrients through intravenous feeding. The emperor, who is believed to be suffering from abdominal cancer, has not been able to eat anything but two ice cubes and a few spoonfuls of porridge since his condition worsened Sept. 19.