Connecticut western news., 1888-06-06
ARTIFICIAL EYES.
An Industry Which Has At-
 tained Considerable Size.
What Artificial Eyes are Made
 of and Their Cost.

The manufacture of artificial eyes is ono of the very quiet industries which have in this century attaiaol very con- siderable proportions. In aa unpreten- tious looking residence on East Twelfth street in this city lives German pro- lessor with a uniquo name, who claims to be.tho oldest manufact urer of tho ar- ticlo in thi, country. He came here from Paris in 1s49, after having ob- tained proficiency in bis art with Pro- lessor Boissca eau, ono of the loading artists ,n his limo in tho Frouch capi- tal. The excellence of tho American manufacture of the article soon ac- quirei reputation, so that now the Twelfth street professor not only sup plies the hospitals, but has customers calling upon him every day to cousil- erable number. He makes Q speciality of manufacturing to order, and says that every artificial eyes should be made to order that it may fit and match prop erly.
 "Of course thore are q great many dealers in ordinary glass eyes," said tho professor, land tho sales in this country exceed $25, 900 year. But such an eye cannot be worn very great length of time, and in changing it is difficult to get ono in all respects tho same size, so that it is far letter in the long run to have them made to order. There is more difference between an eye ade to order, and stock eye, as wo call them, than between the rcadymade and custom made articles in any other limo of busi- ness. Tho eye must be fitted, elso it will injuro the socket and possibly affect the sight of tho other eye. When customer comes to m,, I make several eyes; orc of them proves fit, and the rest soil to opticians who carry them in s.ock."
 ''What are they made off"
 "The only proper artificial human eye is made of enamel, colorcd, of course, to match. The process is se- cret one."
 "How long will an artificial eye wear2" .-.
 "rwo or three years or longer. It depends altogether upon tho wearer, that is upon the nature of tho socket. If the eye docs not fit in some small re- spect, it causes an irritation which pro- duces en acid that eats away tho eye and renders 1t un nbearablo. Then again; crying spells an artificial eye, and if the tear glands of tho wearer flow very rapidly, an eye would soon be spoiled by being rendered so rough and uneven that it could not b, worn. Somo peo- pie, again, could wear an eye for many years"
 'How much do they cost2'
 When made to order, as much as $15 or $20, according to the time and labor necessary in securing satisfaction. Sometimes the socket has to be doctorcd before it can be fitted. If tho old natural eye has all been properly re- moved the muscles of tho socket form a ready cushion for the artificial orb to rest upon, and in that case it generally moves we'll with tho sound eye. The reason that 80 many wcarers of artificial eyes have such fixed, uncanny stares is that their eyes don't fit, and that tho sockets havo not beon taken proper care of."
 Ut is calculated that in the popu- lation of this country about one person in fvo hundred has lost an eye, but, of course, they do not all wear artificial ones, because they can't afford it. If we could only make them sec with arti- fcial eyes then tho profit would be im- mcnse. But we cannot perform mir acles, and the invention is only for ornament. There are only three manu- facturers, believe, in America, and not over 100 in the world. In France, which is tho real homo of the manufacture, the custom is to hand down the secret from father to son, the skilled artisans being averse to instructiag pupils other than their own relatives, and few exceptions arc made. "---[New York Commercial Advertiser.