Mr Gladstone's Eye-sight Affliction.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 262, 13 March 1894, Page 2

Mr Gladstone's Eye-sight Affliction.

» I " The real facts in regard to Mr Gladstone's eye-sight, says a London despatch of Eebruary 3rd, are known to few, but after he left London for Biarritz, a correspondent heard from a trustworthy source what took place. Mr Gladstone, or perhaps one of his family, sent for Dr. Granger, of Chester, a physician, who is also *n oculist. It was Dr Granger who attended him at the time when the gingerbread nut was thrown at him, and struck and slightly injured one eye. Now thatSir Andrew Clark is gone Dr Granger probably knows more of Mr Gladstone's constitutional peculiarities than anyone else. He saw him in his house at Downing street the day he started. He told Mr Gladstone; not I suppose for the first time, that a cataract had entirely obliterated the sight of one eye, and that another cataract had begun to form on the sight of the other eye. The latter statement was, perhaps, new to the Prime Minister. He reflected a moment and said : " I wish you to remove the cataract at once." Dr Granger told him it was not yet far enough advanced for an operation. " Tou do not understand me," replied his illustrious patron, "it is the old cataract I wish removed. If that is out of the way I shall have one good eye, when the cataract impairs the sight of the other." Dr Granger hesitated and Mr Gladstone continued : " You still seem not to understand me. I want you to perform the operation here and now, while I am sitting in this chair." Dr Granger still objected. « It might not be successful/ said he. " That is a risk I accept," said the gallant old man. In the end, Dr Granger saying that the responsibility must be his as a medical man, declined, giving such reasons as he could. The true reason was probably that such an operation on a patient of Gladstone's age was too dangerous. It was not performed, but what could be more admirable than the courage and resolution he showed in desiring it. ■