Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 88.djvu/743

 Teaching Blind Men to Fence

IX FRANCE, the only country where fencing can be said to flourish, a new system for teaching the use of the foil to blind men has sprung up. Its originator, Georges Dubois, has a method whereby the student is taught to rely upon the sense of touch only. In all fencing methods the sense of sight is not

wholly relied upon. Professor Dubois emphasizes touch and eliminates sight altogether.

Soldiers, blinded in war, have now an opportunity of be- coming skilled in the use of that ancient weapon, the small-

�����The white strips on the ground enable the stu- dent to assume his position

himself "on guard." In the circle is shown Professor Dubois placing the pommel, or end of the handle, against the student's wrist. If the pommel is in the center of the wrist, the blade is in line with the arm. The blind students practice "binding," by twisting their blades over their opponent'sand thrusting at the same time. This play is mainly for thrusting under the slioulder, accomplished by twisting the foil.

Blind students are taught the

feeling of an opponent's sword

by means of iron rods

��Makmg a successful thrust is the test of a blind man's training

sword. A blind man's one advantage is his ability to concentrate his attention without being distracted by seeing the action of others. This is of great value in modern fencing where a single "touch" anywhere on the body means that the bout is over. Intense alertness is requis- ite from the moment the fencer puts

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