The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-04-03
0pthaIm0scops ForstoId an
Attack Of Paralysis.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES FAIL.
Brindrsih, Who Was Taken 10 The Bloom
Iagdals Asylum I've Weeks Ago,
Nov In Critical Condition.

New York. April 3-That which in the
case of Ralph Brandreth was visible ia
the eye only through the ophthalmoscope
two weeks ago is now clear to medical
men without the use OF that wonderful
instrument. Apparently in fairly good
health a fortnight since. the treasurer
Of the Brandreth company, at 274 Canal
street, now lies I'm the shadow of death
I'm the Bloomingdale Insane asylum vic
tim OF brain paralysis and hourly threat
ened with probably fatal stroke Of apo
plexy.
The progress OF the disease has borne
striking testimony 20 the accurate pre-
dictions made possible by the ophthalmo-
scope
Mr.. Brandreth's brother, William
Brandreth. vice president OF the San
Miguel Mining company, at II Broadway
said that the patients condition was ex-
tremely critical His brother he said.
was receiving the very best OF care and
attention at the White Plains institution.
but there was little hope for his ultimate
recovery.
All information as TO Mr.. Brandreth's
condition was refused al the asylum. DR.
Lyons. the superintendent was away,
and those i'm charge I'm his absence would
say nothing.
Mr.. Brandreth Is IL years old. and is
the youngest son OF the late DR. Benja-
min BrandTeth. who made fortune in
the patent medicine business. Once fond
OF exercise. he began 10 neglect IL a year
ago. and where once he would have
walked he rode in trains or street cars or
in his automobile. He took on flesh rapid
ly. and his two brothers, William and
Franklin. the latter the president OF tho
Brandreth company, told him he was not
looking well
They finally prevailed upon him to in |
crease HIS life insurance i'm the Mutual /
Life TO $4,000 and exactly two weeks ago |
two physicians in the employ OF the insur- |
ance company called at the Canal street |
Offices to make an examination of the ap-
plicant Nothing of n particularly dis
Quieting nature was discovered until one
of the medical men began TO examine Mr.
Brandreth's eyes with the opthalmoscope |
This instrument which was invented by |
the great German scientist Won Helm |
hoitz. in 1851. consists. roughly speaking,
of a small circular mirror with q minute |
hole In its centre. This Is fastened on the |
examiners forehead in front OF ono OF his |
eyes and a flame Of light from a lamp |
or electric bulb is then reflected from the |
mirror into the eye of the patient This |
illumination enables the ophthalmist
through the hole in the mirror, 10 see |
clearly the condition OF the interior OF |
the eye.
In Mr. Brandreth's case the physician at
once discovered an almost infallible indi-
cation Of the approach of paralysis OF the
brain or apoplexy. and the two physi-
clans deemed IL their duty 10 acquaint
the three brothers with the facts.
After an earnest consultation. II was
decided that the most energetic measures /
were necessary. and few hours later Mr..
accompanied by his brother
William. and personal friend, were on
their way 10 White Plains
Mr.. Brandreth knew that his only hone
lay In complete mental rest and vigorous
daily exercise, and he began at once
course OF gymnastics and games OF va
Tfous kinds.
IL was not expected that the turning
point leading either TO death or renewed
health would be reached before four or six
weeks. but few days ago the blow fell
and paralysis set IL.