Evening star., 1942-06-20
Of Sturs, Men
And Atoms
Notebook Of Science Progress
In Laboratory, Field
And Study
Bu Thomas r. Henry.

Bu Thomas r. Henry.
The first objective test which will dis
tinguish real from hysterical blindness
has Just been reported to the American
Medical Association.
Differentiation can be made by brain
wave patterns, according to experiments
described by DR.. Frederick Lemere of
Seattle.
In many cases OF apparent total blind
ness ophthalmologists are unable to find
anything organically wrong with the
eyes. Yet 1t is obvious that the victims
cannot see. II the eyes themselves ac-
tually are normal, such case requires
treatment by psychiatrist. The person
has been stricken blind by some hys-
terical reaction.
In the past few physicians would have
been willing to risk such a diagnosis,
even If morally certain that it was cor
rect.
Now, Dr. Lemere points out, the most
prominent electrical manifestations OF
the brain are the so-called alpha waves"
which occur at a rate Of about eight per
second. They can be detected by elec-
trodes placed on the outside of the scalp.
and easily differentiated from other
brain waves.
They are, however, manifestations OF
the brain at rest. The best time to OBJ
tain them is when a person is asleep.
r-l. IN ottarv, &c n,,ito ", q rL al u,boy, opo ie
relaxed with the eyes closed. The pro-
cess of seeing requires quite a lot Of
mental activity. Consequently the alpha
waves disappear as soon as the eyes are
opened.
But If a person actually is blind, DR..
Lemere found, it makes no difference
whether the eyes are open or shut. The
electrical waves continue in undertaking
pattern. They are entirely outside the
control Of the will. With the eyes open,
If they are normal, one cannot help
seeing
So, he says, If the alpha waves con-
tinue after the eyes are opened it is con-
vincing evidence that there is at least
enough vision left to distinguish objects.
One OF his cases was a veteran of the
last war who claimed total disability be-
cause of complete blindness. He kept
his eyes tightly shut and wore dark
glasses. But when he was instructed to
look at a pencil, which he claimed he
could not see, the alpha waves stopped.
Investigation showed that at home he
was engaging regularly in occupations,
such as gardening and fishing, which re-
quired good eyesight. Betrayed by his
brain waves, he lost his compensation.
Another of his cases was that of a
woman who apparently went totally blind
suddenly after quarrel with her hus-
band The brain waves showed that the
case was one of hysteria. She quickly
recovered her sight under psychiatric
suggestion.
Still another case was that of a work
man who claimed to have been blinded
by electrical flashes. Physicians could
find nothing organically wrong with mis-
eyes and thought he was malingering to
obtain compensation. The brain waves,
however, continued unchanged when his
eyes were open. 1t was decided that he
actually was blind and entitled to pay
The test, it is expected, will be of con-
siderable value in compensation cases
following the present war. A few per-
sons, however, show no alpha waves
under any circumstances.
The findings are of considerable theo-
retical interest. DR.. Lemere points out, in
determining the actual nature of hys-
terra. Its manifestations are quite COM
mon. They duplicate with considerable
exactness a great number of physical
conditions, such as blindness and deaf
ness. They usually follow some emo
tional upset in suggestible people.
The brain wave tests with blindness
show conclusively. he says. that the diff
Guilty is not in the primary sensory nerve
pathways or in the sensory areas of the
top layers of the brain, where the alpha
waves originate