Library Collections: Document: Full Text
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Josiah Noyes To Samuel Gridley Howe, November 10, 1842
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| 1 | Needham Nov 10th 1842 | |
| 2 | Dear Sir -- | |
| 3 | Your communication, addressed to the "Post master or Dr", was forwarded to me by the former with request that I would answer it. In reply I have the happiness to assure you that the people of our town are remarkably well-supplied with eyes, there being but a few whose eyes are even defective. The case reported appears to be that of Mrs. Rebecca Fuller, 70 years of age, now an inmate of the Alms House, who can barely discern light, and whose parents were cousins. Her sight has been defective, as she tells me, since she had the smallpox 50 years ago. About 8 or 10 years since, one eye was destroyed by the staphyloma and the other became blind soon after. I cannot discover any "distinct peculiarity or predisposition", as no near relation has suffered from defective vision. Hers appears clearly attributable to smallpox as the cause. Considering her age and other circumstances I presume you would not wish me to go more into detail respecting her case. | |
| 4 | Levi Fuller, 82 years of age, also a pauper, has been blind about 6 years from Cataract. He informs me his parents were not related. These are the only blind persons I know in town -- no blind young person: hence you will agree with me that we are well supplied with eyes. There are several who have lost one eye by accident or staphyloma; but these, I presume are not interesting to you. | |
| 5 | The "Report" that you referred to did not reach me, but I procured one, by loan; of our town clerk. I was deeply interested, and gratified by its perusal. | |
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Respectfully yours, | |
