Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 182, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 August 1910 — Put Spectacles on Raven [ARTICLE]

Put Spectacles on Raven

Ophthalmic Surgeon Tests Eyes of 400 , Animals and Birds and Could Remedy Defects. London.—Lindsay Johnson, the wellknown ophthalmic surgeon of Cavendish square, has now employed the ophthalmoscope upon 400 animals of different kinds —lions, tigers, reptiles, cats and birds. Assisted by A. W. Head, the artist, he has completed over 1,000 drawings of animals’ eyes, in addition to a large number of photographs. Mr. Johnson examined the eyes of every animal In the zoo, except the giraffe, and could now furnish spectacles for all which have defective sight A raven, which was operated upon for cataract, has actually been provided with spectacles, which are fitted to the eyes by means of a kind of hood. The improvement in its sight was obvious. Food mixed with sand was placed before it and the-JBird at once began to pick out the edible matter. The examination of so many animals was not accomplished without many interesting an<J dangerous experiences. A puma, which had been taught by its owner to box, was one of the patients. A pair of boxing gloves was put on its paws to prevent it from using its claws, and when Mr.

Johnson stooped down the puma hit out vigorously with its “right” Once only did Mr. Johnson use chloroform. This was In the case of a tiger cat, which was valued at S3OO, and unfortunately the animal died under the anaesthetic. He found that in seals and walruses the lens of the eye is moved forward to enable them to see under water. “My method of examination,” said Mr. Johnson, “was to get into a darkened cage in which was the animal and remain for several hours „ at a stretch at a distance of only an inch or two from the eye of the animal, with a strong light cast upon the eye. I examined six lions like that and found that they were not difficult animals to deal with. They became partly hypnotized, and there was a tendency for them to fall into hypnotic sleep. Kangaroos when examined always went to sleep ” That crocodiles can cry Mr. Johnson has proved by squeezing onion juice into their eyes, they shed copious tears, but not outwardly from the eyes. The tears ran down Into the throat, and the mouth. “Thus,” said Mr. Johnson, “the crocodile does not cry to express emotion, but to lubricate his food.” The per capita on June 1 was $34.59. Somfe of us have the odd cents left