In 1919 I introduced the use of benzyl cinnamate in the treatment of tuberculosis. In order to inquire into the efficacy of this drug against tuberculosis, I used it first in the treatment of external forms of the disease, such as tuberculosis of the skin, mucous membranes and glands. These lesions being visible, it was easy to control and to follow the course of the disease. The results obtained proved worthy of interest and were confirmed by Darier and Jeanselme. 1 My subsequent researches showed that the therapeutic action of the drug is not specific for tuberculosis. Its action can be seen wherever a focus of chronic inflammation is found, regardless of the nature of the agent which produces the lesion. It was by pure chance that benzyl cinnamate found its application in the field of ophthalmology. While treating an Algerian Arab for glandular tuberculosis, I observed that while