Summary

Regrets he cannot hear lecture by F. C. Donders.

Hopes to see WB before he returns home.

Summary

Thinks WB’s proposal a very good one. CD could suggest two or three subjects for essays with respect to the vegetable kingdom, but they would require a long course of experiments "& unfortunately there is hardly any one in this country who seems inclined to devote himself to experiments".

Summary

"I shall not be in London on Monday, but I have written to my Brother to ask him to aid you"

Summary

Thanks WB for his note, states that it will be taken care of on the publication of CD’s book [Variation].

Mentions loss of many months owing to illness.

Thanks WB for favour to CD’s son.

Summary

Will supply CD with information "as far as my knowledge extends".

Suggests CD visit him.

Summary

Will send portion of copied manuscript [of Variation 2: 8–10] for WB to examine. Asks about inherited abnormalities of the eye.

Summary

Thanks WB for his paper ["Address in surgery", Br. Med. J. (1866): 186–97, read at British Medical Association annual meeting, 9 Aug 1866].

Summary

Is pleased CD approved of his effort ["Address in surgery", see 5219] in which he alluded to CD’s views.

Summary

Gives lengthy details from his medical experience on how structural and other changes in the parts of the eye are related to lacrimation.

Mentions belief in CD’s views.

Summary

Plans to write a book on expression. Questions WB on orbicular muscle in screaming infant and function of muscle contractions in looking at a distant object.

Summary

Supposes that infants’ eyes bulge and become engorged with blood during fits of sneezing or screaming, but doubts Charles Bell’s experiment of opening and observing eyes turn from pale to red [Anatomy and philosophy of expression (1844)].

Discusses the action of the eye when looking at distant objects.

Summary

Thanks for reply to queries. Spectroscope an instance of unimagined glorious prospects of science.

Summary

Thanks CD for the gift of his new work [Variation].

Summary

Clarifies his earlier query on Bell’s observations. Seeks confirmation of Bell’s statement that the conjunctiva of a child whose eyes are opened forcibly during a screaming fit become engorged with blood. CD has noted a relationship between contraction of the orbicular muscle and secretion of tears; can WB explain why they appear related?

Summary

Asks for precise reference in Charles Bell to subject of CD’s question. Agrees to assist CD’s investigation. Asks about Bell’s observations on eyes engorged with blood. Has noticed that eyes of children with excessive photophobia tend to be pale when forced open.

Summary

Gives Charles Bell’s explanation of the contraction of the orbicularis during screaming and seeks confirmation of his view because the action is "the key-stone of a whole class of expressions". Curious to learn WB’s conclusion in regard to the relation between contraction of the orbicularis and secretion of tears. Notes that voluntary contraction of the orbicularis causes no tears.

Summary

Asks whether he may come with F. C. Donders to visit CD.

Summary

Sends enclosure copied from letter of F. C. Donders [7207?] dealing with orbicular muscle. Asks about secretion of tears resulting from spasmodic action of orbicular muscle.

Summary

Reports his observations on the concurrence of orbicular muscle spasms, engorgement of eyes with blood, and formation of tears.

Summary

Discusses role of orbicular muscle and distended veins in eye in secretion of tears. Asks WB’s opinion.