Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-11-19
THE BLIND TO SEE, SAYS EDISON.
by Use OF Rays, Resui. VIII Soon
De Reached.
New York Journal)


"rhe blind-that class that cannot see
but whose optic nerves are still intact
will be made to see, and that within three
years. do not mean that they VIII De
enabled to read, but ii will be possible Tor
them to distinguish persons and things
Professor Edison looked happy as he
made this startling announcement in his
laboratory in West Orange on MONDAY
night He had Just concluded series OF
experiments on two men who have been
blind for years. BY means OF the X-rays'
held before the eyes of the men. they de-
clared that for the first time since they
had been stricken they had been able 10
perceive the light. For two hours Edisoh
was busy with the experiments, and wheh
the blind men left him, after making an
appointment TO visit him soon again, they
thanked him again and again and prayed
that he would be successful.
The men who had visited the wizard
were Jacob Mahrbacher, of No. "a College
place, and Otto Kallensee, Of No. 10
South Orange avenue, Newark. When they
walked into the laboratory Mr.. Fldl-
son heard the story Of their afiiiction' ana
then went to work. Mahrbacher was the
first TO be tried by Mr.. Edison.
The light was flashed before his eyes,
and gradually the operator turned on the
X-ray current stronger and stronger.
Finally, as the strongest light was reach
ed. Mahrbacher trembingly announced
that he could see a glittering substance.
MIR. Edison's face frightened, and again
the tube was changed.
Kallensee then stood before the X-ray
and gazed unblinkingly at 1t for some
time. Another light was thrown, and
with almost a sob, the man cried:
IL can see a light. It's burning now,
isn't IL? / can see"
The best result was had by the mean
descent light in a red globe. ana this
gave Edison a clew that may be import
ant. Many experiments were tried, by the
use Of direct rays and the microscope,
with no better results.
After working for two hours Mr.. Edison
concluded TO postpone his experiments for
a time. AS the men LETT him he SAID 10
them:
Don't be discouraged. men. / know 1t
IS awfully hard to be blind, but we Will
find a cure for you yet"
PLEASED WITH EXPERIMENTS.
He afterward expressed himself as high
~ pleased with the outcome of the ex-
periments, saying:
Il shall now devote myself 10 a special
ly-prepared X-ray that will l feel sure,
answer the purpose OF course, do not
claim that those blind will be enabled 10
read, but they may distinguish persons
and things. Constant research is being
made in this field and L doubt not that
wonderful results will be attained. Will
rig up a tube TO be run in ice-cold water
that will be especially adapted to these
mems needs, and / feel confident OF sue
cess"
When DR.. Peck, of the New York Eye
and Ear Infirmary, heard of Mr.. Edison's
experiment and statement, he said:
II don't like 10 discuss this matter. In
the first place, / do not know the nature
Of the blindness with which the men on
whom the experiment was tried were
afflicted. Possibly there are some cases
In which Mr.. Edson's discovery may
prove available. There are cases where
the patient may be afflicted with a loss
of vision where the connection between
the nerves and the brain are all right.
There are numerous cases where We can
see no reason why the person should not
see; the optic nerve is all right and the
brain connection is good, yet the person
cannot distinguish objects. In such an
instance Mr.. Edison's discovery may
prove beneficial. Then, again. there may
be instances where the patient cannot
see an ordinary light, but could clearly
distinguish the glare of the X-rays. When
atrophy OF the nerve Is present, /
do not think Mr.. Edison's cure will
amount to anything, for in that case
the hope OF restoring sight would be in
vain.
Il DO not like to discuss this matter
however, as / do not know the subjects,
and | don't suppose Mr.. Edison knew
what caused their blindness. There are so
many causes fer blindness, and while in
some cases It can be cured. i'm others
it is impossible to restore sight. There Is
no reason why the patient should be able
to distinguish red light quicker than
white one. 1 sincerely hope that Mr.
Edison has discovered what Will benefit
the blind. l would not be surprised at
anything he does, and II Is possible he is
working in the right direction"
TEST IN SAN FRANCISCO.
To the Editor OF the Journal:
II read with the most intense interest
the news regarding the X-ray expert
ments with the blind. / have just re-
turned from San Francisco, and while
there learned that experiments were be-
ing very quietly conducted on those
lines at the German Hospital. / went
there with local physician, friend
of mine. and witnessed one OF the tests.
! went in a very ncredulous mood, but
left a full convert, for / actually saw
the blind see.
"The experiment was upon a young
man, a German 20 years Of age. who
had been blind for seven years. There
was no doubt as 10 his being actually
blind. That was first fully demonstrated.
The rays were tried, and at first without
success That made me more incredu-
lous; and then came tho most amazing
feature.
Between the object that he was to see
and his eyes was placed a pine board
two inches In thickness. Then he ac-
tually made out the object, which was of
very irregular shape. Next a cube was
placed In position. and, looking through
the board, he described II as being some
thing NTH four corners.