The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1892-05-18

4
from tho suffering eye, and even ex-
planning to mo tho exact location of
the spot
"Mrs. Averill was watching me
anxiously; and | will confess that
there was huskincss in my voice
when I said at last:
"My dear madam, am sorry TO
be forced 10 say as much, but your
daughter has described her case as
faithfully as | could have done. She
has painful and fear fatal disease
developing In her right cye.'
"No-no! there can be no trouble
with her eye. All the doctors have
said so.'
"'Dut doctors err as well as other
human beings sometimes. And the
case may not have been SO we'll de-
velopcd them
al thought for a time Mrs. AyeriIl
would swoon, but gradually she grew
caimcr. when her daughter, who had
shown 10 signs of weakness, said:
"'You see l was right, mother.
Doctor Callahan is physician of most
acute skill, and he is not afraid to
speak his thoughts. l feel better,
even now, and it is best for you to
know the worst
"Mrs. Averill seemed unable to
comprehend the startling fact, and /
called her to my side, saying:
"If you will stand behind my
chair, and look over my shoulder when
| throw the light from the opthalmo-
scope through this lens hold in my
left hand upon the ccrnco, you can
look into the anterior chamber of the
eye, and little to the left of TIE optic
disc you can see tumor with large
veins radiating In all directions. That
class of tumors was first pointed out
TO me by DR.. Williams of Boston;
afierward by Won Graft of Vienna,
aud they have always thus far proved
to be cancers of TIE kind called scir-
rhous. They are exceedingly painful
and unless removed always fatal.
"Mrs. Averill at this point burst
into flood of tears, while her daugh-
ter, as had expected, remained out
wardly calm, even trying TO assuagc
her mothers grief.
"'lt is better to know the worst,
dear mother. And as she spoke n
hopeful glance came into her counten-
ance, perhaps DR.. Callahan can cure
it,
"'Oh, doctor! can you--save my
child?' implored her mother.
81 did not dare tell them at once
the plan / had concluded to follow;
but l spoke encouragingly, ani asked
for little time to consider the
matter.
81 did not prolong their suspense
longer than could help; and at last,
broaching the subject as carefully as
possible, l suggested an eye transplant
tation.
GAS | had anticipated Miss Averill
Immediately acquiesced in my mode
of treatment, and as far as could see
there was not q tremor about her.
Her confidence in my ability seemed
unboundcd.
"At my request the matter was kept
strictly private, as l knew an affair of
that kind would create endless talk
which would do injury to my pur-
pose.
al am free to confess to you that
when the momentous occasion came,
l was more nervous than my patient,
who was bearing up with remarkable
fortitude.
"Only her mother and a particular
assistant of mine were present, aud
We lost no time in preparing for the
operation.
al had told Miss Averill that l had
selected rabbits eye to take the
place of her optic, assuring her the
change would never be noticed, and
that her sight would be perfect.
"Whcn tho prcliminarles had been
arranged, put the patient under the
influence of ether and performed the
delicate task l had assigned myself
quickly and successfully so that when
she recovered her consciousness,
said with assurance.
"Rejoice with me, Miss Averill, you
have now an cye as good as the other
and have performed the browning
feat of NV life I nresnme IL fools