Dear Second-opinion Friends,

Subject: Establishing an Award for the Vision Researcher (Medical,
Engineering,
Scientific) who has the ability to OBJECT to "standard practice" as it
was put
in place 400 years ago by Johann Kepler.

It is very easy to use the minus lens on a person (and impress him),
than to "object" the the over-prescription of that FIRST minus lens.

Ignaz was the first medical doctor to recognize that germs "existed",
and that the doctors who did not "wash their hads" were killing women
(at child birth), at the rate of 30 percent.

Ignaz in fact recognized that there was a need to wash your hands
before delivering a baby.  He eventially organized an effort UNDER HIS
CONTROL. that reduced the death rate to about 1 percent.

AFTER his study was completed AND PUBLISHED -- it was denied.

The "don't wash" medical doctors hated the idea.  So they ran THEIR
STUDY, and showed that whether you washed or did not wash the death
rate was still 30 percent.  (That is the effect of preferred
"possition" of a very biased group of doctors.)

So based on THEIR study, the continued to not wash their hands for the
next 30 years.  The death rate continued.

Finally, some "wiser" doctors begain to realize Ignaz was correct.
But it took 30 years to "wake up" and institute the "germ kiling"
process.

My first nomination (ex post facto) is for Dr. Jacob Raphaelson, as
described by his daughter.

This is why it is so important to encourage Dr. Kaisu to publish her
thoughts on the critical issue of true-prevention.

Second-opinion best,

Otis Brown

============

Subject:  Jacob's Daughter

Dear Maurice and family,

I just received your letter with the shocking news of the
mistreatment of Maurice because of his courageous efforts to
promote a cause which could be of tremendous benefit to mankind.
I went through this with my Dad, but he did not make a big enough
impact to bring about the kind of retaliation which Maurice is now
being subjected to. In fact, Dad was afraid his license might be
in jeopardy if he continued to practice; that was one of the
reasons why he retired from active practice and no longer charged
for his services.

I don't know if you have seen the enclosed newspaper article,
(about my father's efforts with the plus-lens) but I have had some
copies made to send to relatives and friends who donate or become
members of IMPA (International Myopia Prevention Association). My
father would have been so proud of you Maurice, as I am. I wish I
knew of some way to help, but I, too, have become discouraged by
the attitude of the optometrists here.

I have tried to interest someone in the profession to help me
start a branch of IMPA in this area, but they don't even bother to
return my phone calls. They are too busy making money, I guess.

After I received your letter, I went to the public library
and checked out a book that made a tremendous impression on me at
the time I read it many years ago, "The Cry and the Covenant", by
Morton Thompson. It is the story of Dr. Ignaz Philipp
Semmelweis' efforts to get the medical profession to accept his
simple remedy of cleanliness. He was unsuccessful. The following
quoted passages are apropos.

"Do you know," said Arneth slowly, "it's true of your
discovery as it has been of every discovery in this whole history
of medicine. When we take our medical oath we undertake to
lengthen life and ease suffering. We are all united in seeking
new means. And every time a man has come forward with a
demonstrable truth, a remedy for good, the profession seems to
have done its best to crush the discover and hide the discovery.
No quackery -- no criminality -- nothing seems to make us so
furious as a discovery." (Page 367)

In reply to a statement by one of his few medical friends,
who has just told Semmelwiess that he is being called a fool, he
replies:

"Well they could call me an adulterer and a thief -- they can
spit on me and curse the mother who bore me -- and if they wash
their hands I will smile at them. I will humbly thank them. I
will get down on my knees and praise the breath that calls me
fool. Only let the murdering dogs wash their hands!" (Page 369)

Ignaz Philipp worked grimly on. There were evenings when he
walked the streets of Buda alone, fevered for more scope, for more
patients, desperate to spread the truth in a world thunderclap.
And when his legs were tired and his mind had calmed at last, he
made peace with things as they were. And he planned long dreams
and nourished the small flame he had lit. He guarded it jealously
and each month was a new hope that tomorrow, surely, tomorrow, at
the very latest, the world would wake with a start and the truth
would be everywhere. All his hopes were in Budapest now. From
this small clinic, if he kept proving and saving, month after
month, the news must one day be the world's." (Page 374)

I wish I had some influence to help you Maurice, but alas,
there is nothing I can do except to let you know how I feel about
you and the dedication you are showing. Perhaps after Rehm's book
("The Myopia Myth") is published, which he indicates will be
sometime this year, some impact may be made here in the U.S.,
which hopefully will carry over into your country. If not,
perhaps you might consider coming to the U.S. to practice your
profession; at least there seems to be more freedom here to
disagree.

Please keep me advised of future developments. I'm still
optimistic enough to believe that somehow the worst is over.

Sincerely,

Shira Raphaelson