Dr. Bates History

[ClarkNight]

Dr. William H. Bates Life & The Bates Method History

Dr. Bates started his career as an orthodox ophthalmologist following the old, long time rules of the practice; prescribing eyeglasses...
During his practice, working with different patients, eye conditions, he realized that unclear close, distant vision, astigmatism and other conditions often cured itself, reversed back to clear vision, especially when his patients stopped wearing their eyeglasses. He noticed that wearing glasses weakened the eyes, resulted in
stronger and stronger eyeglass lens prescriptions being needed in order to see clear through the glasses. He began his own studies on the eye and its function. This led him to discover that many of the old ophthalmologist, optometry 'supposed facts' about the eye, lens and its function and cause of unclear vision... are incorrect. Dr. Bates began teaching his patients to avoid eyeglasses, stop wearing their glasses.
He taught them natural methods, including relaxation, correct use of the eyes, practice of normal, natural eye function to improve the vision. Dr. Bates cured his own eyesight, close vision, presbyopia. Distant vision also clear. He wrote an Article in his book, magazines describing how he did it with Memory, Imagination, Relaxation. He controlled, changed the focus of light rays in his eyes with his mind.

Dr. Bates performed experiments on the eyes of animals, and observed the function of thousands of animal, patient's eyes under different conditions, situations, state of mind, body, thoughts and emotions. He used the retinoscope to see the refraction, focus of light rays in the eye under these various conditions. He proved that the refraction, clarity of vision changes often and when the eyes are left alone, eyeglasses avoided, the refraction, clarity returns to normal, clear vision. He proved that the state of the mind, thoughts change the refraction of the eye, clarity of vision. Example: when the mind, body is relaxed, positive, happy thoughts, emotions: the refraction is normal and vision is clear. When the mind, body is under stress, strain:
the refraction is abnormal and vision is unclear. Dr. Bates discovered that the main cause of unclear vision and other eye problems is: Wearing Eyeglasses, Mental Strain, Mental, Visual Effort to See, Incorrect Vision Habits (incorrect use of the eyes: squinting, staring, not shifting, lack of central-fixation, low memory, imagination...). Perfect Sight occurs only with Perfect Relaxation (deep or active/dynamic relaxation - See Aldous Huxley's book: The Art of Seeing). Relaxation occurs first and then the eyesight becomes clear.

His experiments on the outer eye muscles proved that tension in these muscles disrupts their function, the eyes movement, accommodation, convergence, un-accommodation, divergence, causes pressure, tension on/in the eye, alters the eyes shape, (and lens), disrupts focus of light rays on the retina and the clarity of
vision. Circulation in the eyes is also affected.
Mental strain, stress, strain in the mind, negative thoughts, emotions cause eye muscle tension. Neck muscletension causes eye muscle tension and neck tension is caused by mental strain, negative thoughts, emotions, incorrect posture, injury: vertebrae out of alignment). Inner eye muscle tension; ciliary/lens, iris, tear gland muscle... also occurs. When the mind is strained, tense, the brain and retina do not communicate, function together at optimum level, function of the retina is lowered.

Dr. Bates proved that MENTAL STRAIN causes unclear vision. RELAXATION of the mind produces clear vision. Dr. Bates used his retinoscope to show that the refraction/focus of light rays in the eye are disrupted resulting in unclear vision when a person lies. Lying causes a bit of mental strain. When the person tells the
truth-no strain occurs, the refraction is perfect and vision clear. Many things can cause mental strain. Avoid eyeglasses, remove the stress, strain and vision returns to clear. Practice of Natural Eyesight Improvement can uncover old, forgotten stressful experiences, resulting in strong emotions, feelings being remembered, activated. Once the memory, feelings are acknowledged, released and new positive thoughts, emotions placed into the brain, system: often the vision immediately returns to normal 20/20 and clearer. No other practice is needed. The eyes relax, move, 'shift'... correct on their own.

Dr. Bates published Medical Articles, Books describing his experiments on the eyes, eye muscles, the effect of memory on the eyes, vision and the effect of the clarity of vision on the memory: 1891 'A Study of Images Reflected from the Cornea, Iris, Lens, and Sclera' & 'Memory as an Aid to Vision'. These Articles and others are placed in his 1920 book: The Cure of Imperfect Sight by Treatment without Glasses, Better Eyesight Magazine and his Medical Articles E-Book. Dr. Bates created Natural Treatments, Activities to cure: reverse, correct and prevent unclear vision and other eye conditions based on his discoveries. This became know as 'The Bates Method'. Glaucoma, cataracts and other eye conditions were also reversed successfully with Dr. Bates Natural Treatments.

Dr. Bates History - Dates

1860 - Born December, 23rd - New Jersey, USA.

1881 - Graduate - B.S. (Bachelor of Science) Agriculture - Cornell University in New York.

1885 - Graduate - MD (Medical Degree - Doctor of Medicine) - College of Physicians & Surgeons - Columbia University, New York.

1886 - Invented new operation for a type of deafness by incising the ear drum membrane and published article. Published more articles on the Eye, Eye Muscles, Lens, Cornea, Cataracts, Accommodation, Myopia... from this date onward.

Discovered and published Article on properties of the aqueous extract of the suprarenal capsule, 'Adrenalin'.

1886 -First Natural Eyesight Improvement Application -Dr. Bates cures a medical student of unclear distant vision, 'Myopia' without eyeglasses, surgery, drugs.

1886 -1902 - Eye surgeon - Instructor of Ophthalmology - New York Postgraduate Medical School, Hospital.

Dr. Bates teaches the other doctors, medical students to stop wearing their eyeglasses and how to cure their eyesight, myopia with Natural Methods. Dr. Bates natural treatments were successful. He states, proves the natural cure for Myopia, unclear distant vision.

(1891 - Dr. Roosa, the chief director of the institution, expelled Dr. Bates in an attempt to hide Natural Eyesight Improvement from the public and maintain the practice of solely prescribing eyeglasses, surgery and drugs.)

Dr. Bates then opens his own office, clinic and works for better hospitals.
Attending Physician, Surgeon, Clinic Assistant - Manhattan Eye & Ear hospital, Bellevue hospital, New York Eye Infirmary-Northern, Northeastern, Northwestern dispensary & Harlem Hospital.

Invented Astigmatic Keratotomy, an operation to correct astigmatism. He discontinued applying this operation after he realized through further study of Natural Eyesight Improvement that the operation eventually impairs the eyes function, cornea, vision, health. It works against the natural function of the eye.

Dr. Bates discontinued his hospital schedules for a while and started experimental work, studied the eyes natural function at the laboratory at Columbia University.., Research at the Pathology Laboratory of Dr.
Pruden at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University.

Dr. Bates goes to Grand Forks, North Dakota, (Medical License) and teaches his Natural Eyesight Improvement Method, correct natural use of Snellen Eyecharts in the schools, brings clear vision to the children and teachers. Elected president of the Grand Forks district Medical Society.

Back to New York, worked as Attending Physician - Harlem Hospital in New York City. Teaches his method, use of Snellen Eyecharts in the schools, brings clear vision to the children and teachers in New York City.

1911+ - Met Emily C. Lierman. Dr. Bates cured her eyesight, then hired her as his assistant clinic nurse -They worked his experiments in the Physiological Laboratory at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York and treated patient's eyesight with natural methods in the Harlem Hospital, Clinic. Many years giving free treatments to the Public. They Married in 1928.

Dr Bates performs experiments on the eyes of Animals, Fish proving that the outer eye muscles when tense can alter the shape of the eye, lens and cause unclear vision, cataracts and other conditions. He proves the outer eye muscles, oblique can accommodate the eyes for clear close vision.

1918 - 1924 - Course, book 'Strengthening the Eyes' by Bernarr Macfadden & Dr. W. H. Bates - Physical Culture Publishing Co. In later book editions, Only MacFadden's name was listed on the book.

1919 -1930 - Dr. Bates Published his Monthly 'Better Eyesight Magazine' - Central-Fixation Publishing Co. - 11 Years-132 Issues recording various Natural Treatments for many different eye conditions of the patients of Dr. Bates, Emily and other doctor's... patients. A Gold Mine, History of Natural Eyesight Improvement Methods, Applications.

1920 - Dr. Bates published his book: 'The Cure of Imperfect Sight by Treatment Without Glasses'. (Perfect Sight Without Glasses).

Medical Article - The American Journal of Clinical Medicine 'A Clinical and Experimental Study of Physiological Optics with a view to the Cure of Imperfect Sight Without glasses'. Basic information on The Bates Method. Many Medical Articles proving the effectiveness of The Bates Method were published though the years.

Elected Vice President of Allied Medical Associations of America.

Stopped work at Harlem Hospital, Clinic and starts Free Clinic treatments day at new location.

1926 - Emily C. A. Lierman (Bates) writes, publishes the book: 'Stories From The Clinic' describing The Bates Method, various natural treatments Dr. Bates and Emily applied to cure many different eye conditions for patients in their Clinic.

1931, July 10th - Dr. Bates Deceased, age 70 at his home in New York City.
Emily Lierman/Bates, Dr. Harold Peppard, Dr. William B. MacCracken, C.S. Price, Clara Hackett, Margaret Corbett, Aldous Huxley and others continue to teach The Bates Method. Better Eyesight Magazine and Bates Books, Articles were Preserved. Bates Teachers work in Cities in the U.S.A., England, Germany, Spanish Teachers, South Africa,..

1940 - Emily Lierman, Bates re-published Dr. Bates book with an additional chapter teaching The Bates Method's Application: The Fundamental Principles of Treatment. (The list of treatments is placed in this introduction and is derived from Better Eyesight Magazine, June, 1921 and other issues & Dr. Bates original books). Sometime during her teaching profession she and others continued to bring the Bates Method to California and other states, countries. Thousands of person's eyesight cured naturally. Emily and other teachers made a Movie on 'How to Apply The Bates Method'. It is hard to find.

1940 -1941+ - Natural Eyesight Improvement Teachers are sued by the Optical, Medical Industry, Association in an attempt to stop them from teaching The Bates Method. (See Margaret Corbett, Aldous Huxley case in this book.) Optical Industry, AMA, Eye Doctors destroy Dr. Bates Books, Magazines, Articles, remove them from Colleges, Libraries, Bookstores...

1943 - Emily Lierman/Bates re-publishes Dr. Bates book with a new title 'Better Eyesight Without Glasses'. Many treatments in the book are removed causing The Bates Method to be mis-understood by students. Students confused Natural Eyesight Improvement with Eye Exercises. (The Bates Method uses relaxation of the mind, body, eye muscles and eyes. Exercise, hard effort is not applied.)
Emily wrote this new limited book out of fear of Law Suits, Abuse, Imprisonment by the Medical People (Optical Industry, AMA...) that preferred to continue selling harmful Eyeglasses, Eye Surgery, Drugs and hide Natural Eyesight Improvement from the public. Emily and other Natural Eyesight Improvement Bates Teachers, a few honest Eye Doctors secretly preserved Dr. Bates Original Books, Medical Articles, Better Eyesight Magazines in the U.S.A. and other countries.

This is being in updated, refined in 2014.

[ClarkNight]

By Dr. Bates. Placed at the end of his book; Perfect Sight Without Glasses

Fifteen or twenty years ago the specialist mentioned in the foregoing story read a paper on cataract at a meeting of the ophthalmological section of the American Medical Association in Atlantic City, and asserted that anyone who said that cataract could be cured without the knife was a quack. At that time I was assistant surgeon at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, and it happened that I had been collecting statistics of the spontaneous cure of cataract at the request of the executive surgeon of this institution, Dr. Henry G. Noyes, Professor of Ophthalmology at the Bellevue Hospital Medical School. As a result of my quiry' I had secured records of a large number of cases which had recovered, not only without the knife, but without any treatment at all. I also had records of cases which I had sent to Dr. James E. Kelly of New York and which he had cured, largely by hygienic methods. Dr. Kelly is not a quack, and at that time was Professor of Anatomy in the New York Post Graduate Medical School and Hospital and attending surgeon to a large city hospital. In the five minutes allotted to those who wished to discuss the paper, I was able to tell the audience enough about these cases to make them want to hear more. My time was, therefore, extended, first to half an hour and then to an hour. Later both
Dr. Kelly and myself received many letters from men in different parts of the country who had tried his treatment with success. The man who wrote the paper had blundered, but he did not lose any prestige because of, my attack, with facts, upon his theories. He is still a prominent and honored ophthalmologist, and in his latest book he gives no hint of having ever heard of any successful method of treating cataract other than by operation. He was not convinced by my record of spontaneous cures, nor by Dr. Kelly's record of cures by treatment ; and while a few men were sufficiently impressed to try the treatment recommended, and while they obtained satisfactory results, the facts made no impression upon the profession as a whole, and did not modify the teaching of the schools. That spontaneous cures of cataract do sometimes occur cannot be denied ; but they are supposed to be very rare, and any one who suggests that the condition can be cured by treatment still exposes himself to the suspicion of being a quack.

Between 1886 and 1891 I was a lecturer at the Post Graduate Hospital and Medical School. The head of the institution was Dr. D. B. St. "John Roosa. He was the author of many books, and was honored and respected by the whole medical profession. At the school they had got the habit of putting glasses on the nearsighted doctors, and I had got the habit of curing them without glasses. It was naturally annoying to a man who had put glasses on a student to have him appear at a lecture without them and say that Dr. Bates had cured him. Dr. Roosa found it particularly annoying, and the trouble reached a climax one evening at the annual banquet of the faculty when, in the presence of one hundred and fifty doctors, he suddenly poured out the vials of his wrath upon my head. He said that I was injuring the reputation of the Post Graduate by claiming to cure myopia.

Every one knew that Donders said it was incurable, and I had no right to claim that I knew more than Donders. I reminded him that some of the men I had cured had been fitted with glasses by himself. He replied that if he had said they had myopia he had made a mistake. I suggested further investigation. "Fit some more doctors with glasses for myopia," I said, "and I will cure them. It is easy for you to examine them afterwards and see if the cure is genuine."
This method did not appeal to him, however. He repeated that it was impossible to cure myopia, and to prove that it was impossible he expelled me from the Post Graduate, even the privilege of resignation being denied to me.

The fact is that, except in rare cases, man is not a reasoning being. He is dominated by authority, and when the facts are not in accord with the view imposed by authority, so much the worse for the facts. They may, and indeed must, win in the long run ; but in the meantime the world gropes needlessly in darkness and endures much suffering that might have been avoided.