A lost surgical drama reclaimed: discover the ancient art and human courage behind one of medicine s oldest operations. The Indian Operation of Couching for Cataract by Robert Henry Elliot unravels the techniques, patient stories, and cultural contexts of traditional cataract surgery in India. Elliot s meticulous account part surgical manual, part travelogue traces the evolution of cataract surgery techniques from ancient Indian medical practices through 19th-century observations, offering rare insight into historical medical procedures and the history of cataract treatment. Readers will find vivid descriptions of couching for cataract, comparative notes on outcomes, and reflections that illuminate ophthalmology history and the broader history of medicine. This edition was out of print for decades and is now republished by Alpha Editions. Restored for today s and future generations, the volume is more than a reprint it s a collector s item and a cultural treasure, complete with careful text restoration to preserve Elliot s voice and the original instructional clarity. Essential for anyone researching cataract operation history, eye health in history, or the development of cataract treatment, this book bridges scholarly value and readable narrative. Casual readers attracted to medical history and classic literature collectors alike will appreciate its unique historical significance and the intimate look it gives into Indian eye surgery methods. Own a restored piece of ophthalmology history an indispensable Robert Henry Elliot book for libraries, collectors, and curious minds.