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BELL, Alexander Graham (1847-1922). Autograph letter signed ("Alexander Graham Bell") to Dr. Jay Jeffries of Boston; Washington, D.C., 3 January 1883. 1 full page, 8vo. Fine.
EXPERIMENTS WITH BELL'S "EYE EXPLORER". Bell reports on certain recent experiments undertaken with an apparatus he has constructed to locate minute foreign particles in the eye: "I commenced the construction of an 'Eye Explorer' to be sent to you for trial. The Christmas Holidays have somewhat interfered with experimental work, so I simply write now to acknowledge receipt of your note & to let you know that I am making experiments in the direction proposed. My experiments show that almost microscopical fragments of iron can be readily detected [with his instrument], but I am more doubtful in regard to brass. Very small particles of brass produced a sensible effect, but I fear that an oculist would call my 'small' particles 'very large' indeed...."
The device may be related to the induction balance, a tool for locating metal objects in the body, with which Bell unsuccessfully attempted to locate the assassin's bullet in President Garfield.
EXPERIMENTS WITH BELL'S "EYE EXPLORER". Bell reports on certain recent experiments undertaken with an apparatus he has constructed to locate minute foreign particles in the eye: "I commenced the construction of an 'Eye Explorer' to be sent to you for trial. The Christmas Holidays have somewhat interfered with experimental work, so I simply write now to acknowledge receipt of your note & to let you know that I am making experiments in the direction proposed. My experiments show that almost microscopical fragments of iron can be readily detected [with his instrument], but I am more doubtful in regard to brass. Very small particles of brass produced a sensible effect, but I fear that an oculist would call my 'small' particles 'very large' indeed...."
The device may be related to the induction balance, a tool for locating metal objects in the body, with which Bell unsuccessfully attempted to locate the assassin's bullet in President Garfield.