Winyah Observer

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PLBLISHED EVERY S.\TURDAY AT FOUR DOLLARS PER ANNUM, IN ADVANCE.
BY E. WATERMAN.
GEORGETOWN, S.   C. SATURDAY, JULY 23 1S42.
VOL. II NO. 104
[coMMDificxTBD.] j application, for about lialfa minnlo, or wn-1
Mn. Editok.—The subjoiiied^irticle is ene Of so | (}] ^ Httle warmth was fell by fho palijiit,
touch importance to the cause of humanity,  I was j ^^ ^,^^   ^ „f hydrocyilic   acid,   in a^
induced on reading it, to solicit its publication m •   »-....,. , ., I
-    ,. J      .      .    .    - -     - spia 1 iihial, bold up to tho eye, witb an ap-:
yonr miscell«neous department,—In giving It cur- I ' '      , ¦' '
rency through this medinm, you will oblige one of .erture fitting the form of that organ ;   the j your readers,—and perhaps render a more essen-   various iialufe ofthe dlseaseajso afisatled-^;
tial ficnefit to thoso of yonr fellow men, who are siifTering under the greatest ill, " dial flesh ia holr to." - ,
From the Literary Gaictte of June tTi
The Cure (if Blindness.
opacities^of th** cornea, inflatnmation', cat¬ aract, amattfosis, irritis, &c. fee, the vari¬ ous stages of relief which tbo patients had reached, witb sometimes one eye opened to sight and pleasurable to look upon, and
It has often boon the -province of this , fj,g ^ji,g,. i^f^ „j,,,riy bniid and in its pris jouinsl, during more than the quaiter ofa ' jj^g deformity, to show what bad btron a- century of its existence, and duiing ^ P^" j chieved ; the vari.us appearances of films ri.Kl of unparalleled cultivation and prog- Lrerooving, trataiacts breaking up and being ress of almost every science, tor lend its I g,,g^jyg,|y,.gal,g„^bej pupjl^ j.eing ,-edevel- liest influence toward tbo knowledge and  p^j^  ^„^  ^ther aftogethfer extraordinary
success of discoveries- which promised to promote the well being of raanki'nd. A- mong otber efforts of this descripiion, the cur© for stammering by Mr. Hunt, obtain¬ ed its warmest commendations j and the result has at length arrived when, after a Very few years struggle, amid all the con- flirtitig cliiims to mastery over this afflic¬ tion, the .simple and natural system ofthat genllem.Tn has been called into full prac¬ tice ; and his pupils from every part ofthe kingdom can bear viva voce testimony to Ibe o.itiie efficacy of his instructions iii lemoving  the    impediments   to   perfect
»peecb.
Til have a faculty improved or restored
is of inappreciable value to rrian, aiid es¬ pecially in all lha princip-d professions and pursuits of civilized life; but even through¬ out all. the grades of bociefy the most im¬ portant events may bingo upon the poss¬ ession or non ptisseasion ofsome common human power. Thus, the otber day, the very preservation ofour young and inter¬ esting Queen did, to a certain extent, de¬ pend on the want of ready utterance in the boy Pearson, wben agitated by tbe threatened net oftho assassin !• And this has offered a remarkable illustration oflhe nature oflhe afteciion itself, and of the ex¬ cellence of Mr. Hunt's practice. Young Pearson has attended hi* le.ssons since the event alluded to, and. with such effect,- that
symptoms of remedy- and regeneration, filled us, we repeat, .with wonder and de¬ light.
One child bad been tcftally blind  from
six days old ; had been taught to read on the raided leiters by ihe humane systetn taught in a blind school; but itcould nov,' see th^se letters, and it v^as a curious phe¬ nomenon to behold—could equally reatl lhcm by touch and by sight! Tho only" difference was a singular alteratiftn in the tone of voice and pronunciation wlien reading in tho tvvo ways—tbat by tho eye being far more natural, and like tbo usual reading to which we are accustomed, tban the other, which waS monotonous, and with an air ofdifficulty even araid the sin¬ gular readiness acquired by this melhod.
Other cases there were of tiio wonderful production of tbo power of vision to those born blind; but we select the case ofa girl twenty-two years of age, and there¬ fore fully capable to comprehend and to answer any question put to her. In uttor daiknessfoi thiiteen years previous to her coming under Dr. TurnbuH's treat'.'ent, she'nnw can see her way, and can distm- quisb countenances and colors.   •
If possible, a more marked instance of the efficacy of the curative process was ex- bibilBtl in a young man, who had worked fir many yearcs at book binding. Infla¬ mation, and subsequent eminent treatment.
when  produced to   give evidence on  the   lan< iiv,', &e„ bad   rendered   him so totally
trial of Francis, we bave no doubt in say ing he will be able to utter his testimony withoul the slightest hesitation ofany kind, or remaining  disorder  in  the organs of
speech.t
A fact liite this is preferable to vobimes- of testimonials, however high, i^nd of nigu inents, however well supported; but we havo only adduced it here for tbe sake of intiodiicing- to notice another momentous discovery touching another sense, with ex¬ periments in wiiich we-last week felt it to bio our duty to tnake ourselves acquainted. Three weeks ttgci, (Literary Gazette, 1842,) in a notice t6 correspondents, we mentioned that we had "beard of Mr. (Dr.) TurnbuH's cure of hlindness by the fitmes of prussic acid, but had no personal knowl¬ edge of the process ;'/ which notice imme¬ diately procured us an invitation from Dr- Tnrnbnll to oxainiiie the.cases of several patients, from five or six to above twenty years of age, who were undei his treat- tneiif for this sad cahimily. We accord¬ ingly attended, and it is not eiwy to ex- ,T pre>s our a.strmishment and gratification al whit we saw. Tiio v.liims st;-i^'e< <ifcure, t4vaucoJ in our jircaonce,  by the simple
biin I, that for some time before, and during the first two or three attendances for the apjilicalion of the prussic acid vapor, he was obliged to be led. But he told us that now he could sa'-iely-dispense'with such aidj,, and readily discern objects. Soon, we have liftlo doubt, he will here stored to his calling and to independence.
Another most interesting example if the value ofthis discovery was that ofa gen¬ tleman fion^ Canada. He -had been af flicted in ono eye with cataract and blind¬ ness for ten years. His remark to us was, that wben he first came to -England he conia not, with tbe diseased eye, distin¬ guish a cow from a horse. He now with it could mark and recognize countenances, and could appreciate the visible distinc¬ tions of 8 sovereign and a shilling. This he did in (liir presence, but much more readi¬ ly after the vapor ofthe highly concentra¬ ted acid had dilited tbe pupil, to a certain degree even in the short space of time oc¬ cupied by the action of the vapor, attenua ted or dispersed the cloudy coats of the cativact.
Havinc; assured ourselves ofthe reality of these Illinois,, we sought the rationale.
the source ofthe discovery, and tbo cauee ; of the   etl'ects.    Dr.   Tumbull's   answer; Vv*as, tbat what sugg.isted tlio first exper- [ iments to bim was thecvid ncc aflorded in all  cases  of death  from  poisoning with ¦ prussic acid; it was recorded, in overyjn- stance, th,it the eyo of tins coipse was ob¬ sorvod   lor days   as  clear and lucid as if* stiil in life.    This Isdliina to conceive that t! e acid exerted a specific action on the eye.   .He argued    tbat iany modicarae^iL whi.ih produced such a symptom after do- coase, must  possess certain powers over tho living subject; and he ventured upon bis  course  of investigation accordingly. Tho prirrciple   was speedily   developed. The eye and all round it soon dilitatod and reddened.    It was evident that tho red ar¬ terial blnod rushed into tlio iiiinutcst fibres ofthe veins,   &  exciled  a strong aciion throughoiitxhowhole oftho capillnly pro¬ cess.—Not the slightest pain arose ; a se¬ dative influence appeared to be exorcised on the noTves of sonsatian, and even  if in- flamafion erastod, it wus rapidly  removed. Tho eyo, howover, presented all the symp¬ toms of violent inflnniatlon, whic^Ii   is the truly natural curative process, yet without tho snrtering of the struggle between na¬ ture and disease.    The humours became quickly and singularly active  by degrees the sent ofthe disease  waa assaulted, and a  health ml  tendency  created,  either to supply deficiencies or to retnovo obstruc¬ tions.—Br lepcatiug the  application the cures wore completed.
Thp first thought thnt suggested rtseh" tn us, having no near or dear relative so heav¬ ily bfllicted, was the restoration to tho bles¬ sings oflhe fnctdly of vision ofan amiable and much beloved prince. Painful oper¬ ations liave been tried wilh little or no suc¬ cess. Hero wns, tben, a troatraorrt Involv¬ ing no suffering, entailing nn distressing consequence, endangering no other facul¬ ty; but, to our conviction, ensuring relief and restoration. ",Why not at once make known tbis discoveiy to the P"ince of Han¬ over!" wo exclaimed. In answer, we were pleased to be info.rmed that on" that very morning fjur gentlemen had be^n equally witb u», delighted with the won¬ ders of, the hydi'ocyanc vapor, and with the hope of cure for tho illustrious scion of our j'oyal family. One of them, persona! ly intimate with the Kim:, had expressed his intention forthwith to communicate what he had observed to Prince George of Hanover.
On inquiry what the results might bo on old or short sights, Dr. Turnbull laughing¬ ly replied, that hydiocyanic ac^4 would soon Buporscede spectacles; it so altered •and helped the vision in either case, that no doubt could exist of its applicabibty to tbeir relief and restoration. Be this as it may, we hesitate not strongly to recom¬ mend tbe wonderful diacoveiy of the cure for blindness.
• Had it not beea for the information conveyed from thia boy Pearson to Sir Pe¬ ter Ldurie, and by him promptly commu¬ nicated to the Court, it is a fearmi probab¬ ility that tho Queen would have perished. .To the appointment of equerreies (Cols. Wyide and Arbulbnot, to ride on each side of the carria:fe so as to cover her Majesty's person, on the Monday, we firmly believe it is, under Providence, owing that the na¬ tion have to ble.ss Heaven for tho failure of the asuassin's blow,—Ed. L. G.
i Wben he ondeavonrod to toll Sir Pe ter Lanrie whit had happened, ho could tjot utter a Word ; and now, after t few 'os- sous, vi'e have heard hira repeat Mrs. Nor* ton's touching lines on tdo former attempt of Oxford, without stumbling at a single syllable.—iU L. (?.
rOR  TUK   WIiVViH   OBSEBTfIR,
Mn. EniTOR.—In my last having enumerated some oftlie grievances to which those are subjected who serve ihc State either for inadequate compen¬ sation, or none at all—my ebject in tlie present- number, is to suggest a remedy for tlie evils com¬ plained .'if.
But before doing so, it nitty bo well to descant somewhat farther ou the wrongs suffered by tbo public, iu conacqucncc of improper legislation. Vou well know Mr. Editor that no class of publio creditors sutler more injury Ihan printers.
It has been almost invariably their fate, after «»• countering much dolay; to receive buta portion of what tbey were entitled to—the deduction in soma instances i..iinuntlng to one half of the claim—and at tinies to a larger proportion—and fhis without any alloivanco of internet.—As Mr. Editor I have much fellov,' feeling for the craft—which wa are lold by high authority " makes us wondroua kind"—I wottid here t!d<c tlia liberty, (although a digression,) of suggesting a mode by which their iiuiiiorons losses may be prevented,—And this is to raalic dioirs, exclusively a cash bnssines. It isa lac{ of vvbicb you have had much experience, thatthe expunses ofa Printing Oflice are entirely a cash afl'air—as neither the labor ofworkm''n, type, ink papor, or any of the numerous etceteras, too tedi* ous to mention—can be procured without "the ready." Yet I know of no demand that is as reluo* tautly paid, as that ofa printer. Subscription* should iiiv iriablv Le rc-juircd in advance ; andtlie avir.'j of tach subseribor at the end of the year Btrickcu from the list—wbo did not renew tbe a^ vunoj.       i-
Tiie mogey ^luiuld be banded in with the advefw ii.oiuei<t,.on which, Iv,-onld nialin a liberal discount from my chai-ging-'^prices—say twenty, or even twenty-five por cent—and by a rigid adherence to those rillcs, I am persuaded that every printer dirougbout the country would find himself a gainer.
Although a contfary plan might increase the nominal proofs, it has been found by fatal experi¬ ence that bad debts have in a variety of instances, not only consumed the profits oftho cstabliBbnient —but so much of the capital, as to oblige the pro¬ prietor fo discontinue bisbusines. It is a well a«» ccrtaiiied fact—Ibat tbe certainty is of far more im¬ portance than the amount of income—and hence the many advantages ari ing from a cash, in opposiiion to a credit system.
If tlie legislature deem prhifers charges too higb —let th.;ni adopt the plan of Congress in regard to pifblisluqg-tbe U S. lavvs—by prescribing certain 'rules, or as iho former have done, in relation to the -writ ofelection—which they hav? authorized every uewi>paperin the State to publish, for the sum of filty dollars each.—This vvould .iflbrd printers the option of refusal, or working fbr a sniall conipen- saliou. I'he palronage of the general government, in die caitba above cited—has the incalculable ad¬ vantage of prompt pay. As the printers biU ia on the completion of tlio work, forthwith collected Ihrough the medium of a draft, on the department of State. A bill of rather a novel character was a few years sinco presented to tbe legislature for payment.—A magistrates court having sentenced a criminal to mutillation—tbe aid of a surgeon waB called in—as it was justly apprehended thai lha infliction of the sentence, by the bands of tbe ordi¬ nary-executioner, would endanger the life of tha sufl'eier. The luckless doctor lil<e many otfaers be¬ fore bim, bad bis deinand rejected. The czecu* tinners fee for carrying out the sentence ofa higher court, is paid by the SherifT-when the Utter is di|. inclined to die work.
But how tbe difficulty is to be pollen rid of in an e:sn-aordinary case like tbat above mentioned, I am al loss to conjecture. Tbe fees ofa magistrate are so lo-w, tbat it is wilh much difliculty Ibe office ia filled—and those who accept the appointment, ara influenced more by a sense of duly, than a hope ot gain, but where actual lui-i* would ensue, as would be tbe case in paying a surgeons fee, a resignation of otfice, would be the necessary consequence, and if provision is uol to be made for s-icii exigencie* tliey ibould be prevented by proliibiiory enactment.
Tuort) is not Mr. Editor a more useful jiubli^..