The Arkansaw traveler., 1889-11-09


 had been married but one year-one year of unbroken gladness-when, the summer session having passed, Dr. Gabriel put science and practice entirely away, and prepared to spend his months vacation in Alpine climbing. His wife never hesi- tated to share this toisome pleasure; strong and robust 1t just the exercise most fascinating to her energetic nature. The story of her fate Is Q short one. One morning the daily papers contained short account of "another frightful accident In the Alps" Mrs. Gabriel and guide were killed by mass of falling rock. Dr. Gabriel, though much ipj1red, recovered. On his return to Eng land he gave up all professional work. A ghastly change had taken place. In his haggard face and gray hair, few could recognize the great oculist who had been the picture of strong and energetic man. hood. His colleagues and fellow professors deavored to persuade him to return to his practice and hospital work, but in vain. He would sec but few friends, and for some time Dr. Benson only was admitted. This excellent man was much alarmed at his condition, but failed to arouse the widower from the Respondent state into which he had fallen.
 Weeks passed, and still no signs of improvement appeared. pr. Gabriel's secusion became even more profound, that it was with difficulty Dr. Benson could obtain access to him.
 Rumors were circulated that the shock of his wifes death and the injuries he himself had sus- tained had affected his mind, but these reports emphaticslly denied by those friends who were C ssfnl in obtaining audience The household servants, too, declared that beyond his excessive
 
 They said he spent most of his time in his labora tory where he frequently remained the whole day and the greater part of the night and evidently absorbed in experiment of great interest.
 Let me here introduce myself in order to explain the part taken by in the events which followed. will first state that have no connection whatever with the medical profession. Being Of independent means and of a somewhat scientific turn, l have devoted much time to the study of photography, especially those branches SO seldom attempted by ann l,jz Uin an1r Tn ia way have been able to be of service to many emil nent histologists and notwithstanding my friend, Dr. Benson-men who have no time to reg ister the result of their researches by this means themselves. The work has indescribable fasci- nation for me; have studied under the most cele- brated professors of photography both in this coun try and on the continent, and think can say without vain boosting that l can hold my own against any amateur professional in this art. By this means I became acquainted with many col leagues of Dr. Gabriel, and from them heard many details of his works.
 One night after a meeting of the Astrological society, we were rediscussing the speech of the evening, when Dr. Benson, who had been called genial countenance preternaturally grave and anx ious. He soon told us that he had just come from Dr. Gabriel, who had become suddenly and unac- countaby blind Such announcement at once stopped all further discussion the cholera bdc- lus the subject of the meeting, and Dr. Benson was eagerly questioned for further information. "The case completely baflles me-" said the physician. "Dr. Gabriel declares that on awsking this morn- ing he found that he had entirely lost his sght-he appears totally unable to distinguish light from darkness I have carefully examined the optic discs with the ophthalmoscope," continued he, without being able to make out the faintest change in retina and there are no symptoms which would lead one to believe he had sustained any cerebral lesion have never been SO puzzled by any case in my life."
 fo for 1hou0 were at once advanced by some of the younger men present, most of them holding that the blindness resulted from mischief set up in the brain by the accident in the Alps To this Dr. Benson could not agree his great experience in these cases leading him to expect symptoms which were conspicuous hrra ahni. i-D nah-