The reason why : $b a careful collection of many hundreds of reasons for things which, though generally believed, are imperfectly understood. A book of condensed scientific knowledge for the million
John Stuart Mill · en
Another extraordinary assertion is one which comes supported by
a degree of authenticity that entitles it to consideration. It
is said that the eye of a dead man retains an impression of the
last picture that fell upon the faithful retina. Dr. Sandford, of
America, examined the eye of a man named Beardley, who had been
murdered at Auburn, and he published in the _Boston Atlas_ the
following statement:--"At first we suggested the saturation of the
eye in a weak solution of atrophine, which evidently produced an
enlarged state of the pupil. On observing this, we touched the end
of the optic nerve with the extract, when the eye instantly became
protuberant. We now applied a powerful lens, and discovered in the
pupil, the rude, worn-away figure of a man, with a light coat,
beside whom was a round stone, standing or suspended in the air,
with a small handle, stuck in the earth. The remainder was debris,
evidently lost from the destruction of the optic nerve, and its
separation from the mother brain. Had we performed the operation
when the eye was entire in the socket, with all its powerful
connection with the brain, there is not the least doubt but that
we should have detected the last idea and impression made on the
mind and eye of the unfortunate man. The picture would evidently
be entire; and perhaps we should have had the contour, or better
still, the exact figure of the murderer. The last impression on
the brain before death is always more terrible from fear than any
other cause, and figures impressed on the pupil more distinct,
which we attribute to the largeness of the optic nerve, and its
free communication with the brain." Whether the supposition, which
seems to be supported by the experiment above detailed, be correct
or not, it is in no sense more wonderful than the facts which are
already known respecting this curious and perfect organ.
[Verse: "Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be
hasty to utter anything before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon
earth; therefore let thy words be few."--ECCLESIASTES V.]