Margaret Darst Corbett

Margaret Darst Corbett (January 17, 1889 – December 5, 1962) was an American who promoted the discredited Bates method in an attempt to improve eyesight. She became famous after her prosecution and acquittal on a charge of practicing medicine without a license. Ophthalmologists dismissed Corbett's ideas as quackery.

Life

Corbett was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on January 17, 1889, to Edward Washington Darst and his wife Minnie Ann. Corbett graduated B.S. from the University of California in 1911.

Prosecution and acquittal

In late 1940 Corbett and her assistant were charged with violations of the Medical Practice Act of California for treating eyes without a licence.

Criticism Established optometrists and ophthalmologists continue to be unimpressed by Corbett's work. Speaking of her work, amongst others, Philip Pollack wrote

Works