[Boston—Monday, 1 February 1864]

Feb. 1. Went to see young Dr Derby adjust his instrument for looking into the eye. First he showed us pictures of the retina then we looked at a real eye through his glass. We were mute with wonder and amazement. We could see the sensitive movement of the eye and could see the blood pulsating through the small veins. Afterwards we were shown an eye with a cataract over it produced by a bit of steel flying into the ball. There was no pain but we could see the veil of cloud drawn over with the piece of steel at the bottom. “If I undertook to remove that” said the Dr “I should break up the cataract and thus destroy the sight. I must wait until the proper moment to remove the cataract itself.”

Dr Derby looks very young. He is skilful and has knowledge.


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