The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1815-04-15

"tU"ifhSut OF oi1sc.-
From ne .Slaericcn Doily .lripeyfissr.
INTERESTING SURGICAL. OPERA
yION.
FRANCIS h. SHAW, Esq. formerly of sas-
ton, Pennsylvania, harrington upwards oftwo
wears been deprived of sight by Cataract. on
the 26th ult. submitted himself TO an ope ration
on enc OF his eyes, performed by Dr. Plysick
which succeeded in an instantaneous x won
dertul manner.
The nethoI, or operating is of his own in
ventior, and consists.' Gas nc expresses him
sell in communication to Dr. Phvsick,) 'in
the specific application of a familiar, though
potent principle in natural philosophy by
means or mechanism of the most si,nDic con-
structon'
The advantages Of it are, that it is much
less difficult than that by depression or ex-
traction, is neither tedious, painful or haZ-
ardous, is less liable 70 be succeeded b. vio
lent inflammation. and, 10 certainly & celeri-
", IS IN every respect preferable to r.r. A
dams method OF prncturing the capsule, So
much IN vogue at present, hut which in tIis
city has rot been uniformly successful.
The patien. exnil:ite. an unusual degree os
iortitudc under his afiiictlon; and, besides
tedious salvation, was three times very skill
fully operated upon BY Dr.. Dorsey, according
TO Dir. h;lan's method above mentioned,
without experiencing the least relief, or la
wing the smallest prospect Of being restore,
to his sight
Under tee glocmg reflections Incl lent to
his situation, idea suddenly struck lii.r of
| etecting complete cure. by drawing away
the cataract and completely empty ng the
capsule ct the lens, This plan he cou.nu-
n'cated To several professional Gentlemen. i,,t
received from ttem little or no encourage
ment--convinced, however. Of the prac.ica-
olty OF his plan, he pevscvercd in it, and
procured several Instruments made unele,, his
direction By an mgenicus atist, Talthoueh
hi9setf unable 70 sse them1 and with them
tired frequent experiT,ents on different sub
stances as similar as possible to that of the
cataract, with such Success as 10 afford the
mes. Hlttering prospect
A detailed acco,,nt of his nlah was comm
ncated to Dr.. Fhysick. in November last, 6,
alter much urgent solicitation, he prevailed
g! isSFIsi-Ilan to attempt 1t, very freely
Offering himself &c the first subject OF the ex-
pertinent Or. physick afeer some previous
preparation, with his usual Skill and pronp-
ttutc, completely removed every vestjre Of
the cataract, ard che patient was once more
restored to sight, which gave him the more
SrAtiIcauon, rs it was owing 10 his ewr in
| 6cnuity and persevcr >ncc. AZ this time five
days sIncej the eye appears to be rapidly
reoover'ns---but litAe irfiainma alton is observ-
atllej owing to Iucicious treatment, previous
to. as well IS subsequent to the operation, s.
| as:aras he has INDUCED himself, his sight is as
completely restored previous 70 the first
appearances oS the dis~lss.
his invention, vhici, d.serre: &C &c ;;II;;e-
cd on level Will DR.. Icnnars great Giscove-
| ~ of Vaccination, VIII form rew era in the
annals OF Surg. ~, sd viii NJ doubt be tn.
means OF restoring that most Useful Of our ia
cuitIes to many who now suppose themselves
coomed TO life OF dsrkness. Mr.. Shax is
in''y OF opinion. taat il may be advantageous
y used in almost every state of the Cataract.
ne intends % Froccre from the proper au-
tho,1ty, patent for his Invention, and is
Justly entitled to ali the advantage which his
useful and ingenious discovery merits, more
particularly as lie has been under the neces-
sty ot abandoning a Lucrative practice at the
BAR which 1t may never be in his power to
regain. ~.
M1rch 81, 1915
ss