The Savannah morning news., 1902-12-26
WANT DIR. CALHOUN
BOARD OF AD5UNTA TRYING TO
SECURE HIS SERVICES
TO ATTEND REV. |. P. MENDES.
MUCH SYMPATHY is EXPRESSED
FOR STRICKEN MINISTER.

Many Visitors Called During the
but Replied That He Could Not
Come to Savannah and Asked That
the Patient BE Sent to Atlanta.
Physicians Advised Against Such
a Step-Board of Adjunta Met and
Decided to Ask Him Again-Be-
IieVed That when He is Appraised
of the Real Condition of the Pa
tient He VIII COme-Mr. ROsen-
helm Will Read Services in the
Synagogue.
The condition of Rev. DR.. /. P. Men
des, an account of whose sudden blind
ness appeared in the Morning News,
remains about the same. The news
of his misfortune was learned with
much sorrow, and throughout yester-
day there was a constant stream of
visitors at DIR. Mendes' house on Gwin-
nett strete, west, anxious to know con-
corning him and to offer any assist
ance.
When the serious aspect of the case
became known, it was deemed advis-
able to consult DIR. Calhoun of Atlanta,
and make an effort to get him to come
to Savannah to attend DIR. Mendes. He
was called up by telephone yesterday
morning and asked to come at once.
DR.. Calhoun replied that he could not
make the trip, and asked that the pa
tient be brought to Atlanta.
A - i a.
the executive board of the Congrega-
ton Mickva Israel, of which DR.. Men
des is the pastoral head, was held in
the morning at the Harmonic Club
rooms. 1t was decided to communi-
cate again with DR.. Calhoun. 1t
seems that in the first communication,
the serious condition of the stricken
man was not fully explained. The
declination of the eminent specialist,
the board thought, was attributable to
this fact.
The critical condition of DR.. Mendes
makes it unwise to send him to At
lanta, the local physicians advising
that such a step would be hazardous.
The board decided therefore, to write
DR.. Calhoun explaining specifically DR..
request Such a letter was sent last
night, and the members of the board
are of the opinion that when it is re-
ceived, DR.. Calhoun will consent to
come.
The effort to secure the services of
Or. Calhoun is induced by a desire to
give DR.. Mendes all of the medical
service at command. and not, of
course, from any lack of faith in the
nh tot, xxyI,< l.,rv IN,
charge The Savannah physicians,
themselves, advise his attendance, they
being of the opinion that a conference
with him. and his diagnosis of the
case would be beneficial
The board expects to hear from DIR.
Calhoun either tonight, or tomorrow.
In the meanwhile. the patient is con-
fined in a dark room, with bandages
over his eyes. These bandages will not
be removed for some time. By this
method and by a process of sweating
it is thought that within a few weeks
the detached retina will be brought
back to its proper place in the lower
portion of the eye. The replacement of
the retina will not, however be per-
manent, and its detachment. and con-
sequent destruction of vision. will
eventually result, if the sufferer lives
to an advanced age. The present dis
order consists in partial detachment
of the retina. the retina being the
membrane which transmits impress
sions to the optic nerves, from whence
they are transmitted to the brain.
DR.. Mendes is. of course, incapaci-
tated from any work in connection
with the pastorate, and will not for
long time. be able to perform these
duties. Mr.. Joseph Rosenheim, a men,
Der of the Board of Adjunta who has
on occa sions assisted DR.. Mendes in
his reading, will read the service I'M
til someone can be secured.