Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1896-08-25
HE MAY Gel Rouss, Million.
An Electrician Has Partially Succeed
ed in Restoring Eyesight.
From the New York world1

John F. Martin, the blind druggist S
clerk, who, since April 30, has served
as q subject foralleged sight-restorers
te experiment on as substitute for
Charles Broadway Rouss, who has
offered n million dollars to any one
who will cure him of his blindness,
is undergoing another experiment.
The man now treating MIR. Martin
is Walter w. Felts, an inventor from
California. He uses n primary bat
terry of his own invention. Iu treat
ing Martin he uses four cells. The
electrodes are placed in the outer
corners OF the eyes and the current,
which must pass through the brain
to reach the optic nerve, is turned on.
Mr.. Felts claims that his battery eX-
GELS others in that it is not subject
to polarization and does not transmit
Impurities of any kind.
The properties of the fluids in the
cells he keeps a close secret, and
will do so until he obtains his letters
patent. A very high voltage and
amperage can be obtaieed and q
steady current maintained. Mr..
Felts says that if he could employ
an extremely strong current he might
cure Martin in two weeks. But it
would be unsafe, as n blood vessel
might he broken and death ensue.
Martin was able to distinguish
flashes of light on the occasion of his
first visit to Mr.. FeIts. This salts
fed the latter that the nerve was not
dead, and with each subsequent
treatment he found evidence that the
nerve was becoming more sensitive.
In a week Mr.. Felts added cell and
administered a current of nearly ten
volts and fifteen amperes. This
proved too strong and the added
cell was removed.
Mr.. Felts explained how he was
induced to come to New York to treat
Martin. About year ago he began
work on a primary battery, from
which he expected grand results.
And he believes he will not be disap-
pointed. Mrs. Felts about this time
was a terrible sufferer from what
was supposed to be chronic acute
neuralgia. but which in reality was
the paralysis of several nerves in the
jaws. the effects of which, in some
instances, closely resemble tetanus.
A surgical operation had been
decided upon, when Mr.. Felts hap
pened to tell DIR. A. A. O'Neil of
Chicago of the new style of primary
battery he had invented, and ex-
planned its main features. DR..
O'Neil advised him to try its power
on Mrs. Felts. He did so, and in n
short time she was entirely cured.
But he used a stronger current on
her Jaw than he dare use on Mar
tins eyes.
Mr.. Felts came to the conclusion
that if his battery would cure one
nerve it would another. He thought
that million dollars was worth striv-
ing for, and he is here to get it if he
can.
A reporter was present at one of
the treatments, and the patient fre-
quently expressed gratitude at his
Improvement. He could readily dis
tinguish marks the size Of pea on
a light background, He feels con-
ident that Mr.. Felts will succeed in
restoring his sight, and will also be
successful in the case of Mr.. Rouss.
Mr.. Felts explained that voltage
without amperage is not dangerous.
1t is the amperage that kills when
person is shocked by electricity.
Voltage is the pressure amperage is
the energy.