Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1890-03-29


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, DIR. Gabriel's
seclusion becameeve moreprofound,
so that it was with difficulty DIR.
Benson could obtain access to him.
Rumors We're circulated that the
shock of his wile's death and the in
juries he himself had sustained had
affected his mind, but these reports
were emphatically denied by those
friends who were successful in obtain
ing an audience. The household
servants. too. declared that beyond
his excessive reserve there was moth
ing unusual in his manner. They
said he spent most of his time in
his laboratory. where he frequently
remained the whole day and the
greater part of the night, and was
evidently absorbed in an experiment
of great interest.
Let me here introduce myself, in
order to explain the part taken by
me in the events which followed.
will first state that | have no con-
nection whatever with the medical
profession. Being OF independent
means and of somewhat scientific
turn, | have devoted much time to
the study of photography, especially
those braT@hes so seldom attempted
by amateurs, viz, charging and re-
producing. In this way have been
able to be Of service to many eminent
histClogists and microscopists--in
GLIDING my friend DR.. Benson-men
who have no time to register the re-
suits Of their researches by this
means themselves. Thework has an
indescribable fascination for me; |
have studied under the most celebrat
ed professors autobiography both in
this country and on the continent.
and | think can say without vain
boasting that | can hold my own
against any amateur or professional
in this art. BY this means became
acquainted with many colleagues OF
DR.. Gabriel. and from them heard
many details of his works.
One night after u meeting of the
Astrological Society, rediscussing the
speech of the evening. when DIR. Ben
son, who had been called away an
hour or two previously, returned, his
genial countenance preferably grave
an anxious. Hcsoon toldus that he
had just become suddenly and unac-
coutably stone blind! Such an nm.
nouncement at once stopped all fur
ther discussion on the cholera
bacillus, " the subject of the meeting,
and DR.. Benson was eagerly ques-
toned for furtherinformation. "The
case completely bafiles me, said the
.;.Dr. Gabriel declares
that on awaking this morning,
he found that he had entire
" lost his sight-he appears
totally unable to distinguish light
from darkness. L have carefully
examined the optic discs with
the othalmoscope." 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
lesion. / have never been SO |.
puzzled by any case in my life."
Many theories to account Tor this
phenomenon were-at once advanced
by some OF the younger men present,
most of them holding that the blind /
ness resulted from mischief set up in I
5he brain by the accident in the Alps.
70 this DR.. Benson could not agree, (
MS great experience in these cases .
eading him to expect symptoms
which were conspicuous by their alb .
sense i'll DR.. Gabriel's misfortune.
There is remarkable mental con-
lition here" added the Doctor.
which, although it doesnot bearup. /
On the question from pathological .
point of view, is as interesting and
as it is, inexplicabIe. 1t is
his: DIR. Gabriel, in losing his sight, 4
las also lost all melancholy, all his
ormer depression of spirits; in fact,
le has quite returned to his natural
.heerful condition. During myshort
lie never once expressed INV
egret at this browning calamity. and I
although fully convinced that he
you'd never see again, lie appeared
n no way distressed"
There were many grave faces and
ignificant mods as DIR. Benson con
luded. Poor Gabriel, they believed
lin mad.
Time proved that neither DR.. Cab
ie's extraordinary return OF cheer
illness nor his loss of sight was oil a
ransitory nature; both we're perfect
' incomprehensible. There was one
hing, however, evident enough to
he uneducated as well as to the pro.
eYe-it was, that in spite
i the great improvement in spirits.
ur friends health was rapidly and
urely failing. This decline was as
Mysterious as the Blindness. Those
tho believed they had tr ,ced the
alter to cerebral lesion, the result
f tie accident, declared tho former
D be quite in accordance with their
iagnosis. Whatever it was, this
let remained: DR.. Gabriel was
teadily sinking.
One day IA messenger brought me
o