Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-02
AID FOR THE BLIND
Miss Giffin Has Returned
From Congress at Cairo.
PLAN UNIVERSAL PRINTING

Miss E. ]. Giff1n has just returned to
Washington from the International Con-
greSs for the Aid of the Blind held in
Cairo. Egypt. She was the official dele
gate Of this country. Miss Giff1n was
the only woman delegate to the con-
gress. though a number Of the other del
egates took their families. In speaking
OF the meeting, Miss Giffln said 1t was
a very delightful experience and one
that showed a widening of interest in
work for the blind.
The congress was opened at Shepheard' 5
Hotel. in Cairo. February 10. with a ban
Quet and reception to the delegates and
members There were altogether about
200 delegates and members. The real
business OF the congress was the second
day, at the khedival Opera House, where
the uncle of the khedive and a number
Of the higher officials and members Of
the diplomatic corps were present.
Specimens of Handiwork.
At noon that day the members Of the
congress were taken TO the Zeitoum
School for the blind and were shown the
pupils at work. Much Of their handiwork
was Of high order. and Miss Gtffin
brought home some specimens as models
for extending manual work among the
blind In Washington. There was one
curious phase of the work at this school
that would not be applicable to this coun.
try. but that provides employment for
some OF the Egyptian blind. The pupils
are taught the Koran. and some OF them
secure lucrative positions in the mosques
not as readers. but as rcciters, for they
are able to recite the volume from mem
DRY.
Another Of tho official entertainments Of
the delegates was luncheon given at
Heliopolis in the afternoon, where they
were the guests OF II. 4. Ally Sharoui
Pasha.
All OF the entertainments were the OK
tremc OF oriental luxury. Miss Giftin
said there was considerable interest
among the Egyptian officials in her as
the only woman delegate. The ideal OF
progressiveness is growing in Egypt. but
1t Is in reality the women more than
the men who are the reactionaries, al
though they. too. are beginning to be
willing to accept more occidental free
dom.
Standard Print for Blind.
One movement that was strongly made
! In the congress was for the adoption OF
, Q standard embossed print for reading
There are at present FIVE different sys-
| TENS OF raised printing in use in this
country and more abroad. The congress
| felt that II single system could be
| adopted as standard an immense
| amount Of duplication and expense would
/ be saved.
| Medical work among the blind is pro,
crossing in Egypt. There are Ave large
permanent hospitals in the fourteen
provinces, and It is hoped to add another
for each province. Connected with these
hospitals as base there are five travel.
ing hospitals. where the natives come
for treatment and operations. They seem
to take more kindly to the tent hospitals
| than to the permanent ones. besides the
added facility that the travelling hospital
has for reaching the population.
! The travelling hospitals consist OF ter
tents each. and there is an average OF
225 patients treated by each one in 9
| day. The average number of operations
at each Is thirteen per day. This hos
| pital system Is being extended, but DR.
McCallum. the English delegate, from
| the Royal London Ophthalmic Hospital
| said it would be a decade before 8
| serious impression could be made on tbs
| country even after the hospital system
| had been enlarged. He said, however
that even a decade was short In work OF
| that sort, and he considered the OUTLOOK
| encouraging for the amount Of money
it would be necessary to spend.