New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-02
Y RAYS NAY CURE BLINDNESS.
CHARLES BROADWAY ROCSS'S SUBSTITUTE
SEES A GIIMMER OF LIGHT THROUGH
THEIR AGENCY

James f. Martin. who has passed the last seventeen
wears Of his life in total darkness saw a g.iminer OF
light on Thursday afternoon through the agency OF
the mysterious cathode ray. discovered by Professor
RGnigon. Martin taken into the Office or Dr.
David Orr Edson in the Hotel Majestic, at that time
and seated in front Of the physicians electric plant
looked through the Horoscope at the X-ray globe
and caught a glimpse OF the light he had been striving
to for the last six months
Mr. Martin IS a chemist and his blindness was
caused by atrophy OF the optic nerve He has been
trying experiments OF all sorts for about six months
on behalf of Charles Broadway Rouss the millionaire
drygoods dea.er who suffers from exactly the same
trouble, although not totally blind Mr.. Martin taxes
the treatment with the hope Of reaaning ms own
sight According 10 his arrangement with Mr.. housS'
Mr.. Martin tries every prospective cure tnat MT.
Rouss thinks of taking. When he finds an e"ec'"a'
remedy. his patron will try 1t also
DR.. Edison told a Tribune reporter YESTERDAY '"al
his subject was the best that could possibly DC io"'
His is the only case ever knew or saiu ne ph!
scian, where there is atrophy OF the opuc nerve
and the chambers the eye are In perfect CONDITION
the same time. There is absolutely no'hhg TIE
matter with the mechanism OF his eye The ciiafy
muscles contract the pupil in the presence OF 'gh''
in of normal sight, and ne image OF ms re- reg.
ina il perfect, as observed myself. DE- Edsoh NET
turned on am electric light in corner OF the room
and held up a small instrument through Wnicn. II
strong Hight and even decpher an image on the
retina OF the persons he examines. ...,,,..
upon taking up the Horoscope at first" continued
the doctor Then he suddenly cxcla aimed mat ne
ala see light and afterwdrd. when passed DARK
object between the cathode ray ana the microscope
through which he looking he said that u seemed
as If cloud had come over 1t. 1t is powerful lght
as Won can see' he added. passing bis arm before
the Horoscope. The bones showed with great dis
tincness Gear through the flesh and clothes and me
cardboard with which the window Of the instrument
is blocked
81 do not say tina, 1t Is possible DR.. Edison con-
tinued. but | hope be able to stimulate Mr.. Mar.
tins optic into life by constant Application or
the ray Ii my belief that |, may he of therapeutic
value : massage treatment is besides being an ala
10 diagnosis. II my plan succeeds he Will be able 10
see as well as any Thus far. am well pleased
with the results am having couple of pads made
70 fit the eye which will be of good use They arc
lined with tungStae. the metal used INSIDE the fl-
oroscope only known substance that Will stop the
cathode ray, so that the eye can get sight OF H.
These contrivances will allow the ray TO focus near
the rcfna Of the patient.
Dr. Edison will make his next test on the blind man
in his office q; D. m to-day. His brother. DR. Cyrus
Edson who came too late the first experiment.
is expected 10 be present at this one