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How to Obtain Perception of Light in Blindness

Two things have always brought perception of light to blind patients.
One is palming, and the other is the swing. The swing may take two
forms:

1. Let the patient stand with feet apart, and sway the body, including
the head and eyes, from side to side, while shifting the weight from
one foot to the other.

2. Let him move his hand from one side to the other in front of his
face, all the time trying to imagine that he sees it moving. As soon
as he becomes able to do this it can be demonstrated that he really
does see the movement.

Simple as these measures are they have always, either singly or
together, brought relaxation, and with it perception of light, in from
fifteen minutes or less to half an hour.

In palming the patient should remember that this does not bring relief
unless mental relaxation is obtained, as evidenced by the
disappearance of the white, grey, and other colors which most blind
people see at first with their eyes closed and covered.
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Blindness Number
Better Eyesight
A monthly magazine devoted to the prevention and cure of imperfect
sight without glasses
Copyright, 1921, by the Central Fixation Publishing Company
Editor—W. H. Bates, M.D.
Publisher—Central Fixation Publishing Co.
$2.00 per year, 20 cents per copy
300 Madison Avenue, New York, N. Y.
Vol. IV - March 1921 - No. 3
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