The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1910-02-19
SHARPSIGNS
A LETTER FROM A TEACHER

Editor Star: What is a cataract? |
learned years ago that a cataract was
an Opaque substance which covered
the pupil of the eye. | was told by a
lady, after she had her eyes operated
on some time ago, that it was like a
bit of down cut from a gosling's back.
In 1892 had trouble with my eyes l
used to ride and drive in those days,
and found that l had to be careful on
going over the grade. I was at that
time teaching on Kauai. When | came
to Honolulu l called on DIR. Howard.
He examined my eyes | asked him to
tell me what he found. He said, 1--WE
do not always tell what we see, but
you are away from home. Perhaps it
is better to tell you that you have cat
aract on both eyes, and will be blind"
And have to give up my school" l
said. How dreadful, for hadn't l
planned to teach until l was 100 years
old? l always had such lovely pupils.
He said, Yes, for while at least"
Then, shortly after, | came to Homo
lulu and taught until February, 1906.
Before left school | was nearly blind.
In 1900 / was offered a good position
in Manila Chaplain Pierce and 9th
ers of the Brotherhood of st. Andrews
were my friends.
DR.. Rodgers was here then. l called
on him. He told me not to go, for it
was only matter of time until would
be blind. | took his advice. He said,
I 1T is because of your general health
being good that the cataracts are so
SLOW"
/ In 1908, on the last day of Septem-
Der, l was thrown from an electric car
and was badly shaken; besides, had
one of my thoraX ribs broken. l have
not been well since that fall.
About two months ago l had what is
called structure of the lachrymal duct.
| called on DR.. Nottage. He gave me
liquid to be dropped in the eye. In
few days it was quite well. 1t was
uuttering of the eyelid, and attracted
much attention. Through the courtesy
of DR.. C. B. Wood and others, / was
informed that cataracts are of many
colors. Some are white, some are blue
gray, and others are black, and there
by hangs a tale. So many persons
have given their opinions about my
eyes that, while not doubling the opin-
ion of the two oculists, l, on last Thurs
day, had my eyes examined by seven
or eight of the leading physicians of
the city, whose names are here.
How it seems to be growing blind,
and some questions l am asked. Well,
how are the eyes? Are your eyes get
ting better? Oh, nonsense! Your eyes
are as bright as ever. You just i'm
agine you have cataract.
Another, after looking into my eyes:
81 really do not see anything. Why
do you shade your eyes with your
hand?" THE light hurts them"
Then wear colored glasses"
And so it goes. And all because my
cataracts are black. / did my school
work for more than three years with
my left eye closed and often by max
ing a telescope of my right hand, to
be better able to see the pupil work
on the blackboard. In 1906 Mr.. Bah
bitt told me to use a room that had
been built from old lumber. 1t was
larger than the oil done l was using.
The old one was painted green; that
is, the desks and window shutters. We
also had green curtains. Well, after
Christmas holidays, / took my position
in the other room | did not wish to
make the change, but if the Board of
Education had requested that | would
teach under one of the algeroba trees
would have done so. There were
four large windows in that large room,
having a southeasterly exposure, and
not an inch of curtain. | had to face
that light, and it blinded me. l could
not see my pupils. After l had dis
missed my class | called on the school
agent. / told him that / could not see
in that strong light; that was obliged
to stand in the rear of the room. He
said that there was no money with
which to purchase curtains. After two
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