A MODERN MIRACLE.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 November 1919, Page 9

A MODERN MIRACLE.

St. Dunstan's, with its method of teaching soldiers and sailors iiow to he accomplished though blind, has achioicd many wonders, but perhaps the most remarkable case is- that of Sergeant Alan M. Nichols, 2nd Durham Light Infantry. As one of the. "Old Contemptiblea" Nichols was wounded immediately after the retreat from Mons, recovered, and became bombing instructor. On September 4, 191(1, a defective, bomb exploded, robbing him of the use of his eyes, blowing off both hands, and giving him other grievous wounds. His case might well have seemed hopeless, hut, thanks to patient, scientific (raining, a speciallyconstructed machine, a pair of artificial hands, plus his own indomitable spirit, he can, all unaided, typo letters without errors, and recently he passed a two and a-quartcr hours' test. ■ Only two corrections were made. His artificial hands, of French manufacture, and kn-ivn as the Gable hands, are of aluminium, each finger being movable- The pair weigh .'!}lb. and are worn without much discomfort. though, after a long day's work, they feel heavier. Sergeant Nichols took lessons in elocution, and he addresses meetings on the work of St. Dunstan's and the National Insti. tute for the Blind.