Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1909-07-28
THE DOCTORS TEST,
By GILBERT T. BENTLEY.

BY Gilbert T. BENTLEY.
copyright. 1909. by American Press Asso-
ciation.1
We physicians need to exercise great
care to avoid becoming victims of i'm
position. We are constantly called
upon for expert testimony on the mat
ter of claims or criminal cases where
it often requires ingenuity rather than
professional skill to get at the truth.
AS an oculist was called upon to
pass upon matter involving consider
able money between two young women
cousins, Eunice and Alice Jaynes. The
ownership of large property depend
ed upon whether certain paper had
been written and signed by one of
| them. Eunice Jaynes claimed that she
was totally blind and had been so dur
ing the period that it was claimed she
signed the paper. If so, she could not
have written and signed it without
showing the fact that she was blind
1t was claimed by her counsel that the
paper was forgery. Other oculists
had examined the girl and signed GER
tificates that she was entirely blind in
both eyes. 1t was agreed that if I
confirmed their opinion no further eff
fort would be made to 1mpcach her
testimony and the case would be de-
cided In her favor
The girl did not please me. There
was an expression on her face did
not like. Nature provides this tell
tale expression that we may distin-
guish the bad from the good, though
I confess there may be counterfeit ex-
pressions so perfect as to avoid detec-
ton. On the other hand. 1 had seen
her cousin and had at once been
struck with native honesty stamped
on every feature of her face. Her
case depended on me. If I decided
that Eunice was blind l would give
her fortune. If I could prove that
Eunice could see the property would
go to Alice.
l examined Eunice first as to the
surface of her eyes. Their condition
was normal, but this did not prove
she could see. 1 applied tests Of very
strong light. The girl did not blink
and professed not to be able to dis
tinguish between light and darkness
l did not believe that any one could
stand this light test without a CULVER
of muscle. 1t looked as If the nerves
Of the eyes were perfectly dead.
applied other. tests, but did not have
the confidence In them l had in the
light test. The girl stood every one
Of them.
gave up trying to prove by pro-
fessional tests that Eunice Jaynes
could see. 1t looked as if l must sign
a certificate that she was stone blind.
There was no defect in the eyes, for
such could be discovered by any CON-
petent oculist. But a defect of the
nerve might not be detected. l asked
her If she had ever received a blow on
her temple. She thought for some
time and said that some years before
on going upstairs in the dark she had
tripped, fallen and struck her head on
the stairs in a place upon which she
laid her finger 1t was her temple.
had had cases of young men hit
with baseball in that region with a
consequent blindness in the eye on
the side struck. Since the nerves of
the eyes cross, the remaining eye is
liable to be affected. l asked the girl
If she had discovered after the acct
dent any difference in the sight of the
eyes. She replied that when the sight
commenced to fail it failed in both
eyes at the same time-that is, so far
as she knew.
made up my mind to try one un-
professional test and if she stood that
l would sign the certificate of her
blindness. But the nature Of the test
required witnesses, because it was un-
professional. directed the girl to
come to my office next morning at a
certain hour. I had my witnesses in
my Seonsulting room and received the
girl in my waiting room. blindfold-
ed her so carefully that was sure she
could not get ray of light. placing a
bandage over her eyes, with two filters
for the eye sockets attached. When
this was done to my satisfaction led
her into my consulting room and
placed her in a chair before my wit
nesses. Then, taking up mouse trap
had ready, l took mouse out Of II
and held it by the tip Of the tail close
to but not touching the girls face.
Then suddenly removed the bandage.
. The instant Eunice Jaynes saw the
/ Wriggling little rodent within few
| inches of her face she not only drew
away, but uttered slight scream.
Where my professional skill had
failed my knowledge Of feminine in
stinct succeeded. The proof was posi-
tive. not only declined to certify that
she could see. The witnesses also Ger
titled to the demonstration Of fact.
OF course the verdict was in favor OF
Alice Jaynes and on my testimony.
The case excited a great deal Of com
!, ment, with many thrusts at the pro-
fessional tests of my brother practt-
!, TONERS and many compliments upon
what were termed my practical sense
and absence of professional tOmfool
cry" This was naturally very crafty
ing to me, but something better was in
store for me.
The day after the verdict on going
to my Office I found there magnif.
cent bouquet of flowers, with an &C.
companying card bearing the name of
Alice Jaynes.
, did NOT nrOnOSe to thank tho fair