THE INDIAN EYE DOCTORS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2587, 28 November 1893, Page 3

THE INDIAN EYE DOCTORS.

About two years ago several white robed and turbaned Hindus took quarters in various parts of the colony, and, practising as eye-doctors for a few weeks did the usual roaring trade that most clever quacks do. They came and they went, and we heard of them no more, and only the disappointed ones whom they unsuccessfully treated had cause to remember them. They have turned up, however, in London, and the following from a Home exchange of September last gives some notion of how they have been getting on: —The four men describing themselves as Indian oculists, Kream Bocesh, Khan Deen, Shabah Bedeen, and Hero Shan, were further charged before the Richmond magistrates this week, with false pretences and unlawful and malicious wounding. Mr Broughall Woods prosecuted on behalf of the London and Counties Medical Protection Society, and the prisoners were defended by Mr Jarvis and Mr B-11. Alfred Parsons, of TI, Pare-road, Hammersmith, said his (laugher Evelyn, aged Id, visited Kream Bocesh at 50, Grove-road, in June. Kream Bocesh said he could cure the girl, who had only got a disease in her eye, and she would get her sight back. He put some stuff into it in the presence of Hero Shan and two other Indians. A guinea was paid on that occasion, and Kream Bocesh told him that ho would have to make a payment of 7s Gd a week, which he did during some 20 or 30 sub - sequent visits when stuff was put into her eye. Afterwards Hero Shan performed <io operation at Richmond. He put a hook in at each end of the eyeball. A minute or two later he pulled the hooks to turn the eye upwards. Ho had then “ got the skin right,” and ho took a pair of scissors and cut it off—that was, the surface skin covering the eyeball, called the conjunctiva. Then Hero Shan spread the skin, which was about the sine of a threepenny bit, on a piece of paper and showed it to witne a. The piece of skin out oil' appeared to be an unnatural growth, over the front of the eye. D uring the progress of the operation, for which a guinea was paid, witness’s daughter swooned. The sight of the eye was not improved after the operation. At different times he saw as many as eight Indians together. His daughter’s eyes had had a defect for some twelve years. Evelyn Parsons, the daughter of the last witness, upon whom the operation had been performed, said she could now just see light from darkness with the right eye, the left being a gb-RiS one. She could now' bbt*** nor worse. After being uador *■- for about three monD- treatment distinguishe*' l '- -- she could juA Si— ■’ ui’s if they were very bright, . ,„e trio operation, however, sho had not I been abloto see colors at all. but Khan Deen said that it had been a very successful operation. Thu stuff put iuto her eye

: was ointment) or paste. The pain was ; intense. ! Mrs Jane Russsell, whose husband is ; totally blind, stated that she received from j the accused some snuff, some brown i cones and some pills. The cones were to ' be rubbed on a wet slate and the product | put into the eye. The pills were to be I taken night and morning. Kream Bocesh | and iShabah Bedeeu said they could cure 1 her husband, the latter adding “ by God’s ! help.” Her husband was totally blind j before he went to the Indian “ doctors.” MORE SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS. Mr Woods then said he would call evidence to show conspiracy. With regard to the testimonial which purported to be given by a Mrs Ralph, that testimony was worded in the first person. He would offer evidence to show that she had never written a word of it. Be would offer her husband’s testimony to show ho was forced by the prisoners to sign a testimonial only live minutes after the eye had been cut. Prisoners threatened that if he did not sign they would not go on with the treatment. One witness would say that she was locked up in a room by some of the prisoners, because she would not sign a testimonial. Further evidence was given and prisoners were again remanded. As an indication of the bitterness of the inhabitants of Richmond against the prisoners, it may be mentioned that a largo number of persons went to the Kew •hardens station on the North Loudon line, in order to give vent to their hidings of indignation against them. On the arrival of the train at Kew, conveying the prisoners from Holloway gaol to the police court, the crowd arranged themselves in line along the platform and hooted them. A similar demonstration was repeated on their arrival at Richmond, and during their progress on foot from the station to the police court. AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

A magisterial enquiry was recently held at Tarella, near W iicanaia, into the death of Felix Krause, a boundary rider, whoso body was found in a hut with a gunshot wound in the head. Deceased left a pitiful letter stating that three weeks ago lie fell from his horse and broke his leg. Ho then crawled into the hut, and waited in the hopes of his mate returning. Ho lay waiting day afer day, and at last the pain became so great that he shot himself with his gun, pulling the trigger by means of a forked stick. Thomas Fletcher, a Cobden resident, has been committed on a charge of wilful murder, he having caused the death of his infant child of four months. The evidence given at the inquest shows that the child had beeu crying some time, and that the father nursed it for some time, and as it did not cease crying he said “ I’ll slap you if you are not quiet.” He then slapped the child across the face, widen blow, according to the medical evidence, may have dislocated its neck, for the child died in a few minutes. The personal effects of Frederick Bayley Deeming, the perpetrator of the Windsor and Rain hill murders, were offered for sale by auction on Thursday. The first lot which was put up was an overcoat which Deeming had worn last in the criminal dock, and for this 10s was bid, the price being quickly raised to £l, at which it was knocked down. A long list of articles of clothing were afterwards got through, the prices ranging from Is to os. The cheapest lot comprised two dress coats, which only brought Is 9d each. The disposal of articles which formed exhibits at the trial of Deeming was reserved until the end, when the bidding became more spirited. The small and peculiarly shaped axe and a knife which are supposed to have played a part in the murder of Emily Mather, were sold at £415, a boat-shaped diamond ring brought £4; a silver chronograph watch £2 15s ; a silver napkin ring, engraved “ B. S.” 14s, a silver-mounted ebony stick with gold keeper ring fastened on it, £2 Os, two magnifying glasses and a cheque signed “H. Dawson,” 10s, and three dressing-case botths, with a letter to “ Dear old Boy,” Bs, a gold curb chain realised £6 iss. The proceeds of the sale realised close on £IOO.