1837.] On restoration of sight to persons born blind. 49 



consequence of which his eyes remained bandaged for several days, 

 and it became necessary to bleed him. He expressed himself as 

 sensible of a remarkable change having taken place : the light was 

 most distressing to him, and continued so for some time. On the 

 eighth day the absorption had proceeded very satisfactorily : several 

 substances of various colors were presented to him. He could not 

 recognize any of them, until he had made himself acquainted with 

 them by the sense of touch. He brought them very close to his 

 eyes, moving his head in his accustomed peculiar manner. What- 

 ever he attempted to reach, he always missed his aim. He ex- 

 pressed himself as highly gratified, and confident that he would see 

 and know every thing, but did not like too much interrogation. On 

 the 1 2th day he came to me again. The eye-balls were no longer 

 rolled in their former vacant manner. He had acquired the power 

 of directing the left eye, which had been most instructed, on objects ; 

 the right eye, from inflammation, having remained bandaged. A lady 

 shewed him her shawl : he said it was red, which was correct ; but did 

 not know what it was, until examined by the hand. The platform in 

 front of the house was recognized as green, and his mother said he 

 had been examining many things at home. The absorption of the 

 cataract has proceeded, leaving two-thirds of the pupil of the left eye 

 quite clear ; some inflammation still in the right. He said he was 

 no longer afraid of me, and that he would submit to any thing I 

 recommended. On the 1 6th of September he walked from the town 

 to see me, accompanied by his mother. He had gained much infor- 

 mation during his absence. The pupil of the left eye had become 

 almost entirely clear. He said he had seen a great number of trees 

 on the road, the lake, and a buggy passing by. He had made himself 

 acquainted with several things. What is this ? — A lota. This ? — A 

 pawn leaf. Which answers were correct. A small hooka was shewn 

 him : he touched it, and was told what it was ; several things were 

 then presented to him and the hooka was again brought. He observ- 

 ed, " I cannot tell ; you have submitted so many things to me, that 

 I am confused, and forget their names." He felt it and then exclaim- 

 ed, it is the same hooka. Presently it was shewn him a third time ; 

 he recognized it after having carefully viewed it from top to bottom 

 without touching. He observed a book, remarking that it was 

 red ; but he knew not that it was a book until told so. It was 

 presented to him a few minutes afterwards, and he recognized 

 both the color and the book. He said he was extremely happy and 

 gratified with all he saw. He followed me with his eyes as I moved 

 about the room, and pointed out the different positions I took. He 



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