Hermann von Helmholz : the inventor of the ophthalmoscope / Casey A. Wood.

  • Wood, Casey A. (Casey Albert), 1856-1942.
Date:
[1902]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Hermann von Helmholz : the inventor of the ophthalmoscope / Casey A. Wood. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by UCL Library Services. The original may be consulted at UCL (University College London)

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    HEEMANN VON HELMHOLTZ—THE INVEN- TOR OF THE OPHTHALMOSCOPE.* CASEY A. WOOD, M.D. CHICAGO. Vormals im Lehen ehrten tcir dich, loie einen der Goetter, Nun du todt hist, so herrscht iiher die Geister dein Geist. Quite apart from the interest that is naturally excited by the life-story of the great scientist who invented the instrument that revolutionized the science and art of ophthalmology, there are, at least, two reasons why this gathering should be especially interested in the life of Hermann Ludwig Ferdinand Von Helmholtz. In the first place it was as a student and practitioner of medi- cine that he entered upon those studies that carried his name- and spread his fame throughout the world of science. Then, in the second place, there coursed in his veins the bluest of American blood. His mother was the daughter of a Hanoverian artillery officer named Penne, a direct descendant of William Penn. It is more than possible that the calm, thoughtful spirit which distin- guished all the actions of this truly great man was largely due to the Quaker element in his character. He was born at Potsdam, near Berlin, on August 31. 1821—^ the son of Ferdinand Helmholtz, a teacher in the gym- nasium, and a man of unusual intelligence and culture. The subject of this sketch had, on the whole, a quiet uneventful life'. He was not given to talking much about himself even to his most intimate friends, although he occasionally broke through his natural reserve in this respect. In 1891, when he replied to a toast in honor of * At the Meeting at Atlantic rity, Drs. Harry Friedenwald and Casey Wood were appointed a committee to arrange exercises and an historic exhibit for the St. Paul Meeting, to commemorate the oOth anniversaiy of the invention of the ophthalmoscope.