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Documenta Ophthalmologica 94: 1-17, 1997. © 1997 KluwerAcademic Publishers. Printedin the Netherlands.

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Albert Einstein and his m e n t o r M a x Talmey * The Seventh Charles B. Snyder Lecture JAMES G. RAVIN The Medical Collegeof Ohio, Toledo Ohio

Abstract. While he was a student at the Munich medical school, Max Talmey strongly influenced the education of Albert Einstein. Their association occurred during five years of Einstein's second decade. They lost contact for many years after each left Munich. Talmey emigrated to the United States and practiced medicine, mainly ophthalmology, in New York City. He made significant contributions to medicine, to the popularization of Einstein's work, and to the development of international languages. The relationship of Talmey and Einstein was rekindled when Einstein visited and later moved to the United States. Key words: Munich medical school, New York City, ophthalmology, Freud, universal language

Introduction During his medical school years in Munich, Max Talmey (1867-1941 ) had an important early influence on the education of Albert Einstein (1879-1955). Their five-year association occurred between 1889 and 1894. Einstein was a boy, 10 1/2 years old, when they first met. Talmey was 11 years older than Einstein, actually twice his age, and was studying at the University of Munich medical school. Talmey helped direct Einstein's thinking in mathematics, physics and philosophy. Their paths separated after Talmey graduated from medical school and emigrated to the United States. They met again several times, but only for short visits. This tale of two students provides insights into the development of an astute physician and a scientific genius.

The early relationship with Einstein Talmey (Figure 1) was born in 1867 in Lithuania, at the city of Tauroggen (now Taurage), near the Prussian border [1]. He spent his medical school years in Germany. An older brother, Bernard, already a student at the Munich * Presented in part at the tenth annual meeting of the Cogan Ophthalmic History Society, Philadelphia College of Physicians, March 8 and 9, 1997.

Figure 1. Max Talmey, M. D.

medical school, had a good relationship with the Einstein family when Max arrived. The younger Talmey was befriended by the Einsteins. He was not particularly affluent, and enjoyed a good meal and good company with the Einsteins on a weekly basis [2]. The Einstein family included Albert, his parents, and his sister Maja, who was 2 1/2 years younger than Albert. They shared a house with Albert's uncle, Jakob Einstein. The two Einstein men owned a factory next door, which made equipment for power stations and lighting systems. When Talmey met the Einsteins, Albert (Figure 2) was in his third year at the Luitpold Gymnasium, a college preparatory school. In the German educational system children spent the years from age ten to eighteen at a gymnasium, where the core of the curriculum was Greek and Roman language and culture. Albert felt stifled by the harsh teaching methods at his school. The

Figure 2. Albert Einstein, age 15 years.

rigid and pedantic form of education, which was typical of German schools a century ago, affected him adversely. He performed at a mediocre level in courses he did not enjoy, such as language, history, and geography. The subject matter seemed boring, and the teachers were intimidating. Later he compared the German educational methods" to the Prussian military system. In both, he felt, mechanical discipline was achieved by repeated execution of meaningless orders [3]. Pupils saw teachers as superiors to be feared. The students were submissive and were discouraged from asking questions. Albert was quiet and sensitive, but very intelligent. His father and uncle had given him an intense interest in science. Talmey soon found that Albert enjoyed discussing anything relating to science. Over forty years later, in 1931, Talmey described the situation to a New York Times reporter: 'Although there was a difference of 11 years between us, the boy had such an aptitude and zest for knowledge that it was an easy

4 matter to get along together•.. I lent him many of my scientific books and he mastered their contents in several months• He read one unusually difficult mathematical text in two months, whereas adult students require years for the same task'. Talmey said that Albert 'became so interested in mathematics and physics that he took a profound dislike for the methods of the school, concluded his studies were wasted there and devoted himself to self-education.. • .before long the youngster knew more about science than his mentor' [4]. Talmey gave him copies of scientific books that were well known in Germany. One set was Popular Books on Natural Science by Aaron Bernstein, which describe light, distance, astronomy, meteorology, and nutrition [5]. Talmey found the writing lucid and engaging, and it impressed Albert. Thirtytwo years later, when Einstein visited Talmey in New York, Talmey asked Einstein his opinion of the Bernstein text. Einstein replied 'Bernstein's work is a very good book even now, and at that time it was the best of its kind. It has exerted a very great influence on my whole development' [2]. Talmey also gave him a copy of Force and Matter by Ludwig Buchner, a physician and philosopher who was a professor at the University of Ttibingen. This was an extremely influential book that had undergone fifteen German editions and had been translated into thirteen other languages by 1884. This book was subtitled Principles of the Natural Order of the Universe. With a System of Morality Based Thereon. A Popular Exposition. In 1921, Einstein told Talmey 'I do not think much of Force and Matter, but at that time this book, too, made a deep impression on me' [2]. This book made a deep impression on a whole generation of thinkers, not just Einstein• A century ago it was considered a landmark in the history of science, for it was 'a bold attempt at transforming the then prevailing theory of the world which was based on theological philosophy, and adapting it to the requirements of modern sciences' [6]. It created an uproar. Buchner was vehemently attacked for his rejection of God, creation, religion, and free will. The reasons why Einstein no longer liked this book in 1921 can only be surmised. Perhaps the philosophical aspects of Buchner's approach were too romantic and unscientific for Einstein. Perhaps Einstein objected to Buchner's atheistic approach. Even if he did not practice any formal religion, Einstein was religious in nature. He believed in a lawful, ordered universe and liked to say 'God is subtle, but he is not malicious'. Albert excelled in mathematics. While he was in his fourth year at the gymnasium, Taimey gave him a copy of a geometry textbook to study at home. The exposition and proof offered for every statement were wonderful revelations for Albert. The clarity and order of geometry contrasted with the disorderly world of his everyday experience.

Talmey came to the Einstein home for lunch every Thursday. During these visits Albert loved to show Talmey the problems he had solved the previous week. After a few months he had worked through the entire book, and moved on to a book of higher mathematics. Talmey wrote: 'Soon the flight of his mathematical genius was so high that I could no longer follow. Thereafter philosophy was often a subject of our conversations'. Thirteen-year-old Albert read the writings of several philosophers. Kant became his favorite after he encountered The Critique of Pure Reason. The future physicist was absorbed in this book of metaphysics. To this teenager, Talmey wrote, 'Kant's works, incomprehensible to ordinary mortals, seemed to be clear' [7]. Kant was from K6nigsberg, the former capital of East Prussia, and he never ventured more than a few miles away. Even today, residents of that city consider him a great hero. Talmey's birthplace in Lithuania was near K6nigsberg, and as an educated university student, Talmey must have had at least a passing knowledge of Kant. The problems Kant discusses in the Critique appealed to Einstein. Kant was interested in determining how much one can learn from pure reason alone. This type of inquiry quickly loses most individuals, but it intrigued Einstein. Talmey never saw him read any light literature or meet with any children his own age. Instead, he was wrapped up in books on mathematics, physics, and philosophy. For relaxation Einstein played the violin. His parents made sure that he took lessons in playing this instrument. At first this was just another form of uninspired drudgery, like the rigidity of school. But when he was 13 years old he was introduced to the composition of Mozart. He admired the mood and grace of Mozart's sonatas, and enjoyed coaxing an emotional sense out of the violin. He acquired a modest amount of skill with this instrument, and retained his enthusiasm about music for the rest of his life. As an adult, he would often tuck his violin under one arm when travelling (Figure 3). It is interesting that Helmholtz, whose concept of 'ether' Einstein was to overturn, enjoyed playing the piano for relaxation from his scientific work. In 1895, the year after Talmey graduated from medical school, the Einstein family moved to Milan. Talmey lost contact with them for seven years. Albert continued his education in Switzerland. From 1896 to 1900 he studied mathematics and physics at a famous school, the Federal Polytechnic Academy in Zurich. After graduation, he was naturalized as a Swiss citizen, and taught mathematics for a brief time. In 1902 he became an employee of the Swiss Patent Office in Bern. Talmey found Einstein in Bern, and visited him there. Einstein proudly gave Talmey a reprint of his first scientific publication, 'Interferences from the Capillary Phenomena', which had been published in a prestigious journal, the Annalen der Physik (Annals of Physics) in 190 l [8]. Following this short visit, they lost contact until 1921, 19 years later.

Figure3. Albert Einstein playing the violin.

Talmey's medical career

Soon after graduating from medical school in Munich in 1894, Talmey followed his older brother, Bernard S. Talmey, M.D. (1862-1926), to the United States. Max was strongly influenced by his brother. The elder Talmey had graduated from the Munich medical school two years earlier, and had written his thesis for the medical degree on retinitis pigmentosa [9]. After spending several years in general practice in New York City, Bernard returned to Europe for specialty training in gynecology and pathology, and turned his practice over to his younger brother. When he returned to New York both practised for several years at the same location, 55 West 126th Street [10]. The older Talmey was erudite and a frequent contributor to the medical literature. During the first few decades of this century, he was considered the foremost expert on human sexuality. His popular book, Love, A Treatise on the Science of Sex-Attraction for the Use of Physicians and Students of Medical Jurisprudence [11], went through ten editions.

Max Talmey turned from general practice to ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology. Later he concentrated on the eye. When and where he did specialty training are not to be found in the American Medical Directory [10], or in ophthalmic joumals of the period [12]. He was affiliated with the Harlem Eye, Ear, and Throat Infirmary, Metropolitan Hospital and Dispensary, Mt. Sinai Hospital, and Yorkville Hospital.

Publications

Talmey published on many topics in the medical literature, as did his older brother. Some of these are on ophthalmic topics, such as cataract surgery [ 1315], comeal bums [16], and the differential diagnosis of optic neuritis [1718]. Others concem psychiatry [19, 20], otology [21], and internal medicine [22]. His nonmedical publications include work on international languages [23-31], Einstein [32, 33], and letters to the editor of several newspapers [26, 34]. He published a book, The Relativity Theory Simplified [2], which aimed to explain Einstein's complex ideas to the public. Talmey's writings in the medical literature and his obituary in the New York Times describe his skill as a cataract surgeon. The obituary noted that his 'work in the field of the cataract received national acclaim in the medical world. On several occasions he performed successful operations in cases that had been considered hopeless' [1]. He presented his method of cataract extraction to the Ophthalmological Section of the New York Academy of Medicine and published it in the New York Medical Journal in 1918 [15]. Talmey would have little difficulty in adapting to surgical techniques in vogue today, for his method included extracapsular surgery, topical anesthesia, and a temporal approach. Talmey loved controversy. He took on ophthalmologists, otorhinolaryngologists, Freudian psychiatrists, and even his own internist, in print. His 1905 attack on other ophthalmologists is entitled 'Reflections concerning pretended therapeutic successes obtained by some practitioners of the ophthalmological speciality'. Talmey wrote 'Certain devotees of ophthalmology surpass those of any other specialty with their wonderful therapeutic achievements by the most simple means. Severe diseases that have persisted for years have been cured by a little operation lasting about fifteen minutes. Cutting of the external eye muscles has removed many ailments. In some instances the simplicity of the remedy for the cure of obstinate diseases that have baffled the skill of the internist and neurologist, is nothing short of marvelous'. Correcting errors of refraction, employing as little as a quarter of a diopter of cylinder, he noted, cured forever severe cases of epilepsy, melancholia, chorea, neurasthenia, sinusitis, migraine, insomnia, immorality, and even gen-

eral paresis. He asked rhetorically 'Can devotees of any other specialty than ophthalmology boast of curing so many and such severe diseases as those mentioned, and by like simple means?' [35]. The concept of eyestrain, or asthenopia, was well entrenched when Talmey published this article in 1905 [36].The most influential proponent of the theory was George M. Gould, who is better known today for his medical dictionary and his text on medical anomalies [37]. Respected textbooks of that period associated a litany of systemic diseases with astigmatism, just as Talmey described [38]. Much time was required for a consensus of ophthalmologists to follow Talmey's recommendation, and tone down the claims. Talmey took on otorhinolaryngologists in an attack on tonsillectomy surgery. In his 1916 article, 'Predisposing factors in infantile paralysis', he linked recent epidemics of poliomyelitis to the increase in tonsillectomy surgery that had taken place during the previous five years. Formerly the cases were isolated, he noted, but now there were epidemics. He had examined a child who had undergone tonsillectomy three days earlier by an experienced surgeon, 'and found the whole pharynx up to the hard palate looking like one diphtheritic mass, and another child's pharynx, after the same time, looking like a battlefield in the present European war, though not white or gray. I told the operator the throats looked miserable and received the following answer accompanied by that well known sardonic smile: 'Were the tonsils all out?" 'That was all he was concerned about and is characteristic of the tonsillectomy fanatics, whose mental horizon seems to be no larger than the extent of the tonsil' [21 ]. Talmey's observation that polio and tonsillectomy were linked was important. Unfortunately, his warning remained unheeded for 13 years, until 1929, when a paper in the New England Journal of Medicine described 16 more cases [39]. Other reports followed. The saddest was the story of five healthy children in one family who underwent tonsillectomy the same day. Every one developed polio. Three died [40]. As a result, the standard of care changed. As a general rule, tonsillectomies were not done in the summer, the period when polio was most frequent [41]. After jousting with ophthalmologists and otorhinologists, Talmey took on Freudian psychiatrists. In 1939 he wrote a letter to the editor of the New York Sun, which was published under the heading, 'Freud's psychoanalysis. Part old and part new, part delusion and part true'. The letter states: 'A controversy about psychoanalysis is being carried on in the lay press ever since the recent demise of its originator and does not yet seem to be at an end. Only the other day two factions of his followers clashed sharply against one another in a prominent daily. One of them takes the Freudian doctrine for gospel truth, for a flawless j e w e l . . . For the other faction, too, Freud's teaching is a

9 jewel, but not without considerable flaws'. Talmey noted that a reporter for this newspaper described psychoanalysis as 'a worldwide delusion'. Talmey continued 'This is a view I held even when Freud's brainchild was still young and able psychologists had not yet come out with their publications branding the child as a monster'. Talmey praised his brother, writing 'The late B. S. Talmey, the foremost sexologist of our times, did not call Freud's child by any derogatory names and even bestowed high praise on the father, but proved, convincingly and more lucidly than any other writer ever did, that the child has not a leg to stand on'. Only by reading the writings of his brother, claimed Talmey, can one discover that Freudian psychoanalysis has two parts. One part, the non-Freudian aspect, taught long before Freud, is 'rational and accepted as true by all psychologists'. The second part, Freud's creation, 'is new, but fanciful and unacceptable as true'. Talmey stated Freud's work on the subconscious was important, for it resuscitated an old, forgotten, thesis. However, 'it is far outweighed by the harm done by the preponderant part of psychoanalysis' [34]. Psychiatrists today might agree that some of Freud's theories are flawed. Nevertheless, his work on the unconscious, on infantile sexuality, and on dreams is still held in high esteem. In 1910, 29 years before writing this letter, Talmey published a book entitled Psyche [20]. This 282page text describes basic concepts of psychology and psychiatry. Freud and psychoanalysis are not mentioned. Following the publication of this letter, the noted author and curmudgeon H. L. Mencken wrote Talmey: 'I am delighted to know that you are keeping up the war. It is astonishing how influential the Freudian quackery has become in this country especially among psychiatrists. They swallow its worst absurdities without turning a hair' [42]. In addition to his publications countering certain aspects of ophthalmology, otorhinolaryngogy, and psychiatry, Talmey wrote an article in which he disagreed with the diagnosis made by his own internist when he was the patient. His rationale for the report was that physicians are frequently puzzled when confronted by cases that do not fall into classic textbook patterns. He felt that case reports often provide the best descriptions. 'Among such monographs I am inclined to consider those most valuable in which it is possible to eliminate the unreliability of all the statements of the patients, e.g., monographs, in which physicians give exact descriptions of their own illnesses. There being but few of the kind in existence has prompted me to publish my own case'. The diagnosis made by 'the competent internist who treated me and whose unselfish and devoted attention I now take pleasure in acknowledging, was one of acute articular rheumatism and endocarditis'. Talmey came to a different conclusion, that his internist's 'diagnosis was incorrect and that it was a question of 'rheumatoid' influenza complicated

10 by a functional disturbance of the heart' [22]. The diagnosis is less revealing than the fact that he would publish such a report.

Talmey's contributions outside of medicine A universal language Beginning in childhood, Talmey was fascinated by languages. By 18 years of age he had a working knowledge of six [24]. The second artificial language he encountered was Esperanto, which had been constructed by the Polish ophthalmologist Ludwik Zamenhof in 1887. Talmey claimed he was the first to bring this language to the United States [1]. In a letter to the editor of the New York Times, he described some of the problems of universal languages. 'I have been studying painstakingly the 300 years' history of an auxiliary language for twenty years. The auxiliary international language must be absolutely neutral and extremely easy to learn to write and to speak. These two requirements exclude all natural languages'. He found two important faults with Esperanto. First, an international language must contain types that can be printed anywhere. However, Esperanto contains five unusual symbols that are not found in any natural language. Second, the international language must be mellifluous. 'The sound of Esperanto is nothing short of repugnant' [26]. Although Esperanto had some success in practice, Talmey felt these defects doomed it. In 1924, the New York Times reported Talmey's address to the American Association for the Advancement of Science on the need for an international language. He said the language and the grammar must be easy or the average individual will not use it [43]. In 1937, Talmey introduced a new language, Gloro, a modification of an older system named Arulo (Auxiliary Rational Universal Language). He claimed its virtues included extreme simplicity, no rules of grammar, and a pleasant sound. He said previous attempts at an international language had failed because the general public was expected to use it. Gloro, he said, is designed for scholars, scientists, diplomats and writers who need a simple means of exchanging ideas. Einstein was in the audience when Talmey introduced the language. The New York Times reported the event: 'A new language was added last night to New York's babel of tongues when Dr. Max Talmey read parts of President Roosevelt's speech at Buenos Aires translated into Gloro'. An example of Gloro was provided, along with an English translation: 'The eye saw fields devastated and on them the war's many victims mutilated, slaughtered'. ('La okulo vict.is agri devastita e sur oli la militof mult viktimi mutilita okcidita') [44].

11

Einstein's work popularized Talmey's medical school years in Munich from 1889 to 1895 were his period of close contact with Einstein. They met again briefly in Basel, Switzerland, in 1902, but did not correspond. Nineteen years lapsed before they were to meet again. 1905 was an amazing year for Einstein, for he published five important papers. One was his doctoral thesis, 'A new determination of molecular dimensions' [45]. Three others each became the basis for a new branch of physics. 'On a heuristic viewpoint concerning the production and transformation of light' contains the suggestion that light is composed of very small quanta, which were later called photons [46]. This revolutionized the theory of light. The quantum theory explained the photoelectric effect, the ability of light energy to release electrons when striking some solids. This paper earned Einstein the Nobel prize. The third paper, 'On the electrodynamics of moving bodies', described the relativity of time, a totally new concept [47]. The fourth paper explained Brownian movement, and confirmed the atomic theory of matter. It was entitled 'On the motion - required by the molecular kinetic theory of heat - of small particles suspended in a stationary liquid' [48]. The fifth paper demonstrated the equivalence of mass and energy, which is stated by his famous equation, E=mc 2. It was entitled 'Does the inertia of a body depend upon its energy content?' [49]. Einstein became a professor of theoretical physics at the University of Berlin. His main concern was the general theory of relativity. At the center of this theory was the concept that gravity is not a force, as Newton had said, but a curved field in the continufm of space-time, created by the presence of mass [50]. He suggested that this could be proven by measuring the deflection of starlight as it travels close to the sun, the star's light visible only during a total eclipse. Einstein predicted deflection twice that which would be predicted under Newton's laws. Measurements taken during an eclipse in 1919 proved Einstein was correct. Einstein received the Nobel prize in physics for 1921, but the decision to give him the award was not made until late in 1922. Many had expected him to receive the prize long before. He had been nominated for the prize every year but two from 1910 through 1922. Einstein became the nominee for 1921 and was approved by the Academy. During the years just before Einstein received the Nobel prize, many articles were published in the lay literature about him and his spectacularly brilliant work. Talmey realized that this man was his old friend. He spent much of 1919 and 1920 at the New York Public Library, learning what he could about his friend's work. In 1920 Columbia University was consider-

12 ing honoring Einstein, and Talmey was asked to create a report about his relationship with the famous scientist [51]. Einstein and his second wife came to the United States in 1921, and stayed for several months. He met many dignitaries, lectured to large crowds, and received many awards. The Einsteins visited Talmey and corrected a few inaccuracies in his report. They received the Talmeys several times at their Manhattan hotel. At the first reunion Einstein greeted Talmey warmly, exclaiming 'Doctor, you distinguish yourself, indeed, through eternal youth!' [52] Talmey and Einstein's wife had known each other in Munich. She recalled borrowing Talmey's extensive notes on psychiatry and psychology, which were subjects of interest to her. These notes were probably the basis for his book Psyche, which was published in 1910 [20]. During one of their meetings Talmey brought up the subject of an auxiliary language. He felt that Einstein was an excellent example of the need for such a method of communication, since his lectures in German were lost on those who could not understand that tongue. Einstein replied: 'It is a pity that such a language does not exist. It would be very beneficial in scientific work. It is doubtful, however, that scientists and others will ever agree upon one system'

[53]. The Einsteins visited Talmey and his family at their home, where the Talmeys found the distinguished scientist most friendly. Einstein had been rather distant from his two sons during their childhood, but enjoyed the company of children when he was older. He gave the Talmey's ten-year-old daughter a ride on his back and listened attentively as their twelve-year-old daughter played the piano. He suggested that she should study classical music. He gave Talmey a photograph of himself which he signed, 'My dear friend Dr. Max Talmey, Albert Einstein, May 1921' [54]. In 1929 when Einstein was 50 years old, Talmey sent a special greeting to him in Germany. Einstein's poetic reply was published in the New York Times [55]. They did not meet again until the Einsteins returned to New York in 1931. After that, the once close relationship became rather distant. Einstein emigrated to America in 1933 and lived in Princeton, New Jersey, until he died in 1955. Talmey remained in New York until his death in 1941. Very few people could understand Einstein's work. He was rumored to have said that only twelve people in the world could understand the relativity theory. Einstein denied having made that statement. But the world knew that important scientists were in awe of Einstein, and that he had received the Nobel Prize for physics. Men of science said that Einstein's work on relativity proved that some of the great scientists of the past, including two heroes of ophthalmologists, Newton and Helmholtz, had made important errors. Turning Newton and Helmholtz upside down made the public take

13

Figure 4. Albert Einstein in his study. On the wall is a portrait of Sir Isaac Newton, whom Einstein revered.

notice. Einstein admired Newton greatly, and kept a framed portrait of him on a wall in his study (Figure 4). If the brightest minds in science were impressed by Einstein, the public had to be curious as well. According to Newton, rays of light should travel in straight paths. But as a corollary to relativity theory, Einstein's work suggested that light could travel a curved path. This was proven correct. Helmholtz felt that space included a substance called ether, that was subject to mechanical laws. Einstein's special theory of relativity destroyed the ether theory forever, and redefined the relationships of objects and observers. Helmholtz' law of the conservation of energy stated that energy and matter are constants, and cannot be created or destroyed. But Einstein's formula, E=mc 2, changed this as well. This revolution in science gave Talmey the opportunity to write a book explaining Einstein's work to the public. While he admitted that he was not the first to make the attempt, Talmey showed how his unique knowledge of the creator of relativity the-

14 ory offered some advantages. The most important aspect of his book is the tale of the relationship he had with Einstein, for it gives us insights into the development of one of the greatest scientists who has ever lived.

Postscript: Postmortem examinations Einstein wished to be cremated after death. Most, but not all, of his earthly remains were treated in this fashion [56]. His son, Hans Albert, a professor of engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, gave the pathologist at Princeton Hospital permission to save the brain at autopsy, with the condition that anything published would appear only in the scientific literature. He wanted to avoid anything sensational appearing in the popular press. Sections of brain tissue were sent to scientists throughout the world. Thirty years after Einstein's death, an article describing the tissue was published. The first author was a neuroanatomist at the University of California, Berkeley. She examined tissue from areas 9 and 39 of the left hemisphere, which are cortical association areas, and found a low ratio of glial cells to neuronal cells. She concluded 'An increase in the number of glial cells without a significant increase in the neuronal population suggests a response by glial cells to greater neuronal metabolic need. All these data suggest that neuronal: glial ratios in selected regions of Einstein's brain might reflect the enhanced use of this tissue in the expression of his unusual conceptual powers in comparison with control brains [57]. A neuropathologist in Philadelphia also examined tissue from Einstein's brain. She said the tissue was cut more thickly than usual, which led to erroneous totals in counting the cells. She found less than normal signs of aging for a man 76 years of age. There was no lipofuscin pigment, and none of the plaques and neuronal tangles that are found in patients with Alzheimer's disease. She concluded that a microscopic search of the brain for the source of intelligence is doomed to failure [58]. Einstein's eyes were obtained at the 1955 autopsy by Einstein's ophthalmologist, Henry Abrams M.D. He has told me that the eyes are hidden in a bank vault at an undisclosed location. There have been no plans to examine them microscopically. Representatives of the media have contacted Abrams from time to time, but he has resisted what he considered to be attempts at sensationalism. May the eyes continue to rest in peace.

15

Acknowledgements T h e assistance of Ira Eliasopf, M.D., a n d Professor K e n j i S u g i m o t o is gratefully a c k n o w l e d g e d .

References 1. Anon. Obituary, Max Talmey. New York Times Nov 7, 1941, L: 24. 2. Talmey M. The Relativity Theory Simplified. NY: Falcon Press, 1932; 163. 3. Frank P. Einstein His Lilb and Times. New York: A A Knopf, 1947; 11. 4. Anon. Says Einstein at ten was eager student. New York Times Feb 17, 1931; 6. 5. Bernstein AD. Popular Books on Natural Science for Practical Use in Every Household for Readers of All Classes. New York: C Schmidt, 1869. 6. Buchner L. Force and Matter or Principles of the Natural Order of the Universe With a System of Morality Based Thereon. A Popular Exposition. London: Asher and Co, 4th English ed, from the 15th German ed, 1884; ix. 7. Talmey M. The Relativity Theory Simplified, New York: Falcon Press,1992; 164. 8. Einstein A. Folgerungen aus den Kapillaritatsercheinungen [Interferences from the capillary phenomena]. Annalen der Physik 1901; 4: 513-523. 9. Talmey M. A tribute to Dr. Bernard Simon Talmey. Am Med 1926; 32: 465--467. 10. Am Med Directory. Chicago: Am Med Assn 1906-38, eds 1-15. 11. Talmey BS. Love. A Treatise on the Science of Sex-Attraction for the Use of Physicians and Students of Medical Jurisprudence. New York: Practitioners Pub Co, 3rd ed, 1919. 12. Miller RH. News items, Dr. Max Talmey. Am J Ophth 1942; 25: 259. 13. Talmey M. A case of congenital cataract, successful operation at the age of 23 years. New York Med J 1910; 91 : 592. 14. Talmey M. Restoration of sight in a case of hypermature cataract of twenty years' standing, complicated by acute glaucoma. New York Med J 1917; 105: 401-406. 15. Talmey M. Suggestions for improving the operation for cataract. New York Med J 1918; 107:1108-1114. 16. Talmey M. Corneal burn by direct flame. New York Med J 1907; 85: 974-976. 17. Talmey M. Bilateral optic pseudoneuritis and unilateral medullated nerve fibers in cranial injury by blunt force. Med Rec New York 1913; 84: 13-15. 18. Talmey M. A contribution to the study of pseudo-neuritis optica. New York Med J 1906; 83: 442. 19. Talmey M. Manic depressive insanity or recurrent insanity? New York Med J 1911; 93: 19-22. 20. Talmey M. Psyche: a concise and easily comprehensible treatise on the elements of psychiatry and psychology. NY: Medical Legal Publishing Co, 1910. 21. Talmey M. Predisposing factors in infantile paralysis. New York Med J 1916; 104: 202204. 22. Talmey M. Influenza or acute articular rheumatism? Their diagnosis with a report of my own illness. New York Med J 1904; 80: 496--498. 23. Talmey M. Arulo. Text Book of the Universal Language New York: Ilo Press, 1925. 24. Talmey M. The auxiliary language question. An adequate auxiliary language, an agency for world peace. Mod Lang J 1938; 23. 25. Talmcy M. Critical remarks on Novial. Mod Lang J 1929; 14.

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