Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1886-11-21
RESTORED TO SIGHT.
INTERESTING OPERATION
By Which an Rtnaville Man is Relieved Of the
Effects Of an Injury to One Of His
Eyes Received in Wales Years
AgO-A Credit 10 Wheeling.

A REGISTER reporter recently learne,
of a rare case of restoration to sight which
occurred in this city, and which reflects
great credit on the scientific requirements
and surgical skill Of Wheeling proilcs
sOnal gentlemen. Believing that the
narrative of the case in detail would i'll
terest the general public, and perhaps re-
suit in benefits To Others who are similarly
afflicted, some inquiries were made, which
developed the facts given below. The
story is not only interesting hut strictly
true, and if any person feels an interest IN
it and desires Ia investigate further, Mr..
TOttcrdale can be seen at any time at his
work, and will no doubt be glad to sub
stantiate every statement made.
Lewis TOttcrdale il an iron worker, and
a native of Wales. He il now employed
as q boiler at the .Ftna Sheet Iron Mill,
over the river. In the month Of March,
1913, while at work in an iron mill in the
town of Briton Ferry, South Wales, he
was severely burned by flash of iron
from hot mass of the metal which was
being shaped by steam hammer. The
molten metal burned his left eye ~ Sc
vcrcly that the ball was penetrated and
the iris wounded, and the lids were burn
cd to such an extent that when they be-
gan to heal they grew together at the edges
and also adhered to the eye ball over its
entire surface.
Since the accident this eye has been use
less, and Mr.. Tote rdale was practically
blind, seeing barely well enough to contin-
lie his work.
About month after the accident Tet-
terdale went to Bristol, and was operated
upon by a competent specialist, one Of the
staff of the Royal Eye lnfrmary in that
city. From this operation he received
practically no benefit, and he concluded
that it was no use TO attempt to restore his
sight.
To-day, however, thirteen years and
more after his serious accident occurred,
Mr.. TOtterdale can use both eyes almost as
we'll as ever. For this happy relief be IL
indebted to DR.. s. II. SlOcum, the well
known oculist and aurist Of this city, at
whose Eye and Ear In6rmary, at No. go
Sixteenth street, the operation was perform
ed which restored the man TO sight. Few
cities Of the sizc Of Wheeling can boast Of
such an institution ~ DR.. Slocum's mfr
mary: indeed few cities Of any size can
excel it except in size. Its completeness in
all the requisites for the treatment Of every
description Of affections of the eye and ear
strike. the visitor at once, and DIR. Slocum
has fairly won high reputation by sue
ceSsful treatment of stubborn diseases and
injuries in his special line. In no case,
however, has he achieved result more
bcneficent to the patient, more creditable
10 himself or more interesting 10 the pub
lie than the one Just referred 10, by which
Mr.. Totterdale's injured eye was restored
10 It's normal condition OF health and use-
fulness.
The injured lids were first separated, and
the two lids then cut loose from the ball.
This delicate and difficult operation was,
however, only preparatory work. The eye
was still useless. To restore IL To sight, the
operation known 10 surgery a. "iridec-
tony was necessary. This operation con-
sists in creating by artificial means a new
pupil, and was the method attempted at
the Bristol institution, where, however, II
did not succeed. An incision was first
made. by which access 10 the ball was se-
cured. The iris was then grasped with
fine instrument, pulled out and cut. This
opens a new pupil, and the eye gradually
assumes its original functions
Eventually Mr.. Totterdale will zee as
well a. ever. At fst the eyelids are Of
coarse more or less infamed from the op-
Grafton. aud the new pupil over-sensitive
from having been 80 long rffectually veiied
from the light Gradually. however,
these difficulties will disappear, and Mr..
Totterdale will see a. well as before his
accident in 1873. Shortly after the opera
ton he found himself able 10 read diamond
print foot distant from his eye-an ad-
mitted test Of the normal condition Of his
sight.
Wheeling can point with pride TO a
specialist who aceomplishes such results.
DR.. Slocum is an educated physician,
whose work speaks for itself This Is but
one case, though conspicuous one. where
his skill has been successful Persons
having weak or defective sight or hearing
should consult him