Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1904-06-30
A Surgical Case
iOriginal.l

nee or rising young Ocul1St IN st.
Petersburg.
Doctor" he said, 81 desire you to
operate on one of my eyes. You see
that While my right eye is blue the
iris of the left is completely covered
by a white streak. This is a blemish
''Ihat is impossible" said the doc
tor
Not at ALL" replied the patient. 81
am a member of the medical profess
sion, and consider it practicable op.
Grafton"
Operation? What operation?"
zone that has never been perform
ed and which thus far is simply in
my own brain. Naturally 1 have de-
sired to get rid of the blemish, so far
as cosmetics (appearances) are con-
cerned, and have laid plan for q
remedy. l have with me the instru-
ments for the purpose"
He produced little bundle of fine
cambria needles and vial
Only idea is to prick the cornea with
these needles and fill the minute cavi-
ties with india ink of a color similar
to that of the pupil of my right eye"
But
"Doctor, l am in great hurry. Will
you do as I desire or compel me to
operate on myself?"
The patient spoke eagerly, and the
oculist was unable to understand the
cause Of his haste; but, being a young
man, he was readily captivated by a
new idea and acquiesced.
"Sit down there" he said, referring
to his operating chair, and, filling a
dropper with solution Of cocaine, he
held up the eyelid and put two drops
on the iris. This was to neutralize
pain and keep the eye steady.
snake haste, DOCTOR said the pa
tent impatently.
snake haste in an operation that
has never been performed before and
in which the slightest overdriving of
the needles may cause the loss Of the
eyer
"What use is sight without life?
Hurry, l say"
The oculist was puzzled. Was the
man insane? He was tempted to throw
up the operation, but he had become
intensely interested in trying it and
seeing what the result would be.
With the needles he picked carefully
all over the surface Of the eye affected
and when he had finished took up the
vial the patient had brought.
care you sure the color is right?" he
asked. Remember, the ink cannot be
removed"
Perfectly sure" said the other. 81
have prepared it myself"
The ink was applied, and after few
moments, during which the operator
critically examined the eye to see that
he had left no part uncovered, he ex-
claimed:
Bravo! Your eyes are exactly
alike"
a"Your fee?" said the patient, jump
ing from the chair.
Nothing. 1t would not be profess
sional to charge brother practitioner.
Besides, your idea and the experience
have had will be worth many fees to
me in other similar cases."
There was loud ring at the Office
bell.
Doctor" said the patient, paling,
you will not betray a brother ply
sician?"
Before the oculist could reply there
were steps on the stairway. and sew
eral police stepped into the operating
room.
"a man whom we are looking for has
been traced here" said one of them;
then, turning to the doctor, "You are
the oculist?"
II am"
"Then this other must be the man we
are after, And, taking paper from
his pocket, he read, pausing to examine
the man from time to time:
"Konstantin Proker. Twenty-eight
years old. Five feet ten inches high.
Light yellow hair. Beard a darker
shade Of same color. Right eye blue,
left eye white"
Looking at the eyes, he uttered an
exclamation Of disappointment. The
patient cast an appealing glance at the
oculist.
"Well," said the latter, "what does
this mean?
This man corresponds to the de-
scription, the eyes excepted, of des-
perate nihilist whose completely with q
diabolical plot has just been discov-
cred. One eye should be white"
"But they are both blue.'
$50 see."
"Those who directed you here doubt
less saw the similarity of personal APP
pearance, but did not notice the eyes.
There are plenty Of men five feet ten
with yellow boards, but not one in
thousands of different colored eyes,"
But" stammered the policeman, che
might have come here toto get his
eyes made the same color"
His statement was received with a
smile by the doctor and laughter by
the other policemen.
Come, come, my FRIEND" said the
oculist, "your zeal is getting the better
| Of your common sense. Please don't in