title: The wanderings of a literary ophthalmologist: A. Conan Doyle, Houdini, and Ada Besinnet.
abstract: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, was a general practitioner, then studied ophthalmology. Doyle and Houdini, the famous magician, shared an interest in Spiritualism. They began as friends, but ended on opposite sides of a controversy over Spiritualism. Their differing viewpoints clashed with Besinnet, a well known medium, was involved.
authors.affiliation: Eye Center of Toledo, OH 43623-3081.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Ravin
mesh_terms: D004739:England; D049673:History, 20th Century; D008093:Literature, Modern / Q000266:history*; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000266:history*; D014481:United States