22 Portland Square. Plymouth,
Ap:22.1303.
Si.
George Mitchell -£
Number of letter, 12911 11803.
C. O.
880
16820
"I have read and carefully examined the correspondence, sent me today. I have examined Mr Mitchell's eyes in the first place. I have to report that he states that when a child he had a squint of his Right eye and that the vision was operated upon first - he admits that the vision of this eye was always defective.
He states that though a good shot with the rifle, and often fired from his left shoulder, which was always remarked upon as very unusual, he accounted for his height and war record.
In 1894 he was engaged in Plague duty fever & ophthalmia, the latter being no doubt due to infection from flies. This produced acute inflammation of the lids with discharge and swelling of the lids. He was discharged from the service as very sensitive and this condition has now entirely passed away, leaving no traces. My junior and I examined him today. I find the left eye very considerably defective (is, quon 2 on twasio), constantly oscillating, and that with it he can only discern hand movements, while glasses do not improve it... the eye is quite free from irritation or pain.
After dilating the pupil with atropine I found that there is present a congenital defect, viz., persistent hyaloid artery, and that the optic nerve is atrophied and doubtless has been so for a long time. I have no doubt that this has been a blind eye and that the present defect is in no way connected with his attack of ophthalmia."