Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-05-21
TIL Il BLIND

The progress OF science has been lattery
benevolent as well as useful. The remedies
for 1.-The ills that flesh is heir to- have be-
come more and more numerous The sci
ence of chemistry has achieved wonders il
obtaining extracts of many medical substan
ccs. which, in Il state of combination with
others, were not as eifectual as they have
since become. Qunine, for instance, has
relieved the fever stricken patient from swal-
lowing Peruvian bark, in the wholesale
quantities formerly necessary.
Surgery, aided by new physiological and
anatomical research, has found ont a method
by which the eyes of the most nveterate
squinter may be placed in natural and be-
coming position. The hlirlip, the cub foot,
the broken nose, may now be made almost
as good as new; and every where marvel
lous reconstructions of the human tr,me are
effected by the hands of the skllful anatomist
and mechanic.
But there were some disordered states of
the eye which formerly baffied the efforts OF
the most skilful occulists. We are happy
to announce the discovery, which bids fair
to open the eyes of the most despairing of
the blind.
1t appears that DR.. Turnbull, of Russell
square, London, was the first person who ap-
piled it, but having some misg'v ngs as to its
general utility, said but little OIL the subject
to the public. His own account of his prac-
tlce was at length given by him to an inqui-
ring friend, and it shows the process of rea-
sening by which he was led to adopt his pre-
sent successful treatment.
The friend tells US that '1the Doctor, ha-
wing remarked that the eyes of persons who
had destroyed the mselves by hydrociauic or
piussic acid remained clear and dilated, he
considered that the acid exerted specific
action upon the eve, which might be made
available as medical agent for relieving ma
ny of the diseases to which that organ is sub
lect After few cautious experiments, he
became assured of the truth of bis conlec-
lures, and began to apply the vapor of this
powerful acid to the eyes of persons atfi cted
with blindness, and with surprising effect.
As far as we have comprehended his expla-
nations, the vapor acts as stimulant and
sadative. By exciting the small blood ves-
sells 10 great degree, the languid circula-
ron is reused into activity; and nature no
longer shackied by the morbid affection has
tens to restore the organ to its normal con-
dilion, and sight is the consequence. Sub
segment events showed to Dr. Turnbull that
the practice might be advantageously varied
to suit different cases, were he to employ
other agents, az the vapor of chloracyanic
acid, sui phuretted chyaz;c acid, and the chic
ruret Of iodine. EIch of these, therefore,
be now uses in small phiaI with a glass
Upper, and with mouth shaped to cover
the hollow of the eye. In the bottle contai-
ning the hydrocyanic acid, in order to pre-
vent any dangerous consequences from acci-
dentally spilhng the liquid, he puts some pie
ces OF asbestos to act as sponge; the use
OF It IS hence quite safe, care only being ia
ken not to allow the patient TO smellif. The
same thing is done with respect to the chic
racyanic acid.