Knowledge In Ophthalmology Research Articles

System of Ophthalmology:

After a long period of relative disinterest in congenital deformities and genetic influences in ophthalmology, the recent literature has brimmed full of significant contributions and the last quinquennium has been blessed by three major works. In 1958 Francois collected his enormous experience into a single volume, Heredity in Ophthalmology. There followed the two monumental tomes of Waardenburg entitled Genetics in Ophthalmology, an encyclopedic work, written primarily from the genetic point of view but with considerable insight into clinical problems, exhaustively complete in both text and bibliography. Now comes the second part of volume 3 of the Duke-Elder series, the first section concerned with clinical diseases, which marries well the virtues of the two preceeding offerings. It, too, is encyclopedic in scope, here coupled with a comprehensive overall knowledge of clinical ophthalmology to produce a reference work of the highest value. The delightful style that we have come to take for

REFERRAL TO THE OPHTHALMOLOGIST: WHEN AND WHY?

The pediatrician should be ac quainted with those diseases of the eye which he may safely treat himself; but it is even more important that he be familiar with the clinical signs and in dications associated with many eye dis orders which call for prompt referral for more expert advice. There is no spe cialty that requires a practical knowl edge of ophthalmology more than does pediatrics.

The "Ophthalmologische Bibliothek". First ophthalmological journal.

Ophthalmology is indebted to the investigators of the late 18th and early 19th centuries for identification of some of the basic anatomical landmarks and discovery of the characteristic features of a number of eye diseases. Verification of the exact position of the crystalline lens, for instance, led to a more differentiated classification of cataracts, to the development of newer methods of cataract surgery, and ultimately to decisive improvements in the surgical technique of lens extraction. A better understanding of visual defects and glaucoma, enthusiastic reports on the creation of an artificial pupil and the use of iridectomy—devised by Joseph Beer, but not reported until 1805—are other achievements of that era. Thus the rapid pace of ophthalmological progress brought about the need for a periodical devoted solely to advances in the field of ophthalmology. As the volume of ophthalmological knowledge increased, the call for such a specialized publication became ever

A Short History of Ophthalmology.

When the author brought out the first edition of this work in 1933, he wrote as follows: No attempt has been made to trace the growth of ophthalmology as an organic whole, phase by phase. It was thought more expedient to trace separately the course of the main streams of development. This plan has been left undisturbed in the second edition and has been admirably carried out. In his introduction, he has traced the development of general ophthalmologic knowledge from the time of Hammurabi through the Greek, Arabian, Medieval and Modern Ages. He then discusses the development of the anatomic, physiologic and pathologic knowledge from earliest historical times to the present. Subsequent chapters deal with cataract, glaucoma, therapeutics, spectacles and the ophthalmoscope. The book closes with a chapter on ophthalmology in the British Isles. It is difficult to review this somewhat condensed type of work, but certain statements can be

The eye in leprosy

The ocular complications of leprosy are the most serious lesions in the disease and occur in a very high percentage of cases. Leprosy is one of the great causes of blindness in the world. I would make a plea that every leprogist should have a knowledge of ophthalmology. The slit lamp with the corneal microscope and the electric ophthalmoscope are indispensable in the early diagnosis and recognition of the type of ocular leprosy and so every leprosarium should be provided with these articles of equipment and the medical officer in charge should have a knowledge of their use.

MARFAN'S SYNDROME

Recognition of the association between ocular manifestations and pathologic changes as well as malformations in distant parts of the body belongs to one of the fastest growing chapters in ophthalmologic knowledge. Ocular changes accompanying osseous dystrophies form well circumscribed entities. Optic nerve atrophy in oxycephaly, exophthalmos and ophthalmoplegias in Apert's syndrome (acrocephalysyndactyly), optic nerve atrophy in dystrophia craniofacialis (Crouzon), optic nerve atrophy and divergent strabismus with synostosis of the major and minor alae of the sphenoid bone, blue sclera, deafness and osteoporosis causing spontaneous fractures (Lobstein's disease) are but a few illusstrations. In another group of ocular changes, linkage with anomalies of the fingers is characteristic. Retinitis pigmentosa occurs with polydactyly, microcornea with brachydactyly, aniridia with dystrophy of the hands and feet or with malformation of the hands in the form ofdes pinces de homardand, finally, congenital dislocation of the lenses with arachnodactyly (Marfan's syndrome). The exact clinical

Manual of the Diseases of the Eye.

Dr. May's deservedly popular manual now appears in the sixteenth edition. This new edition has been carefully revised ; some of the chapters have been rewritten, and new additional color plates have been added. These changes have been accomplished without any increase in size. The book was translated into Portuguese a year ago, and it now is being translated into Urdu by the Osmania University, Hyderabad, India. This is the tenth translation into a foreign language, which is a remarkable record. The manual is up to date and admirably fulfils its purpose of supplying a foundation of ophthalmologic knowledge for the undergraduate student and the general medical practitioner.

News and Notes

SOCIETY NEWS <b>Postgraduate Course in Ophthalmology.</b>—The tenth special course for postgraduate study in ophthalmology will be given between Oct. 3 and Dec. 7, 1938, under the auspices of the American Medical Association of Vienna at the First and Second Eye Clinics of the Allgemeines Krankenhaus, Vienna, Austria. The course has been so arranged that the field can be covered systematically and comprehensively in the allotted time. A preliminary knowledge of ophthalmology is presupposed. The entire course is given in English, for a minimum of ten and a maximum of seventeen men. The fee is $260. Further information can be secured by writing to Prof. Dr. A. Fuchs, Vienna, VIII, Skodagasse 13, or to the American Medical Association, Vienna, VIII, Alserstrasse 9, Cafe Edison. <b>Medical Society of the State of New York, Section on Ophthalmology and Oto-Laryngology.</b>—The program of the Section on Ophthalmology and Oto-Laryngology

SHORT STUDIES ON THE HISTORY OF OPHTHALMOLOGY

On Feb. 22, 1925, there died in England that spiritual aristocrat of Medicine, Sir Thomas Clifford Allbutt, Regius Professor of Physic of the University of Cambridge. Sir Clifford, although famous throughout the last fifty years of his life for his teaching in general medicine and long the leader of the medical profession in England, was also, it should be remembered, one of the most valuable contributors to ophthalmologic knowledge, one of the first to use the ophthalmoscope and to extend its use among general practitioners. Clifford Allbutt, the only son of the Reverend Thomas Allbutt, was born at Dewsbury, near the city of York, on July 20, 1836. He had only a younger sister. When a small boy he became the child companion of an invalid lady, a cousin of his father, on an extended visit to her at Ventnor on the Isle of Wight. There he had some private

THE PROBLEM OF THE CRYSTALLINE LENS

Herbert Spencer in his "Principles of Biology" said: "There can be no knowledge of function without a knowledge of some structure to perform function." To no other part of the human organism is this more applicable than to the crystalline lens, for there is no other anatomic structure that is more mathematical in form than the lens or so complex in composition. For this very reason there is no subject in human physiology about which more divergence of opinion has been entertained than the rôle the crystalline lens plays in the faculty of vision. A resume of the ancient and medieval ideas of anatomy and physiology with regard to the lens will show how the knowledge of ophthalmology developed by a slow evolutionary process from remote ages and will demonstrate that the progress of ophthalmology has gone pace by pace with the advance in the knowledge of the structure

CHRONIC UNILATERAL HYPERTROPHIC CONJUNCTIVITIS

The following unusual case of chronic unilateral hypertrophic conjunctivitis presents many features of considerable interest. The unfortunate termination in complete loss of sight marks the problem as a practical one, worthy of more than mere academic consideration. Despite extensive pathologic studies conducted both at the Manhattan Eye and Ear Hospital and at the Knapp Memorial Eye Hospital, the condition remains undiagnosed and offers a challenge to ophthalmologic knowledge. REPORT OF CASE <i>History.</i>—A man, aged 32, a dressmaker, had a cold in the head in May 1932, which lasted about ten days and was associated with redness, itching and tearing of both eyes. The condition resembled in some respects the autumnal attacks of hay fever which the patient had had for the past five years. There was no fever, chills, vomiting or other constitutional disturbance. He gave no history of trauma to the eye or of contact with

Seventh Annual Report of the Giza Memorial Ophthalmic Laboratory, Cairo.

The Giza Laboratory is still under the able direction of Rowland P. Wilson; Major F. H. Stewart is the pathologist, while Ahmed Fahmi Abbassi and Abdel Fattah El-Tobgy are assistant pathologist and assistant surgeon, respectively, on the permanent staff. The usual postgraduate instruction was given during 1932, after receiving which candidates for service in the ophthalmic section of the Public Health Service had to pass a primary and a final examination. It is noted that physicians who are graduates of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Cairo possess a far better knowledge of ophthalmology than those graduated abroad. This may be due to the fact that their education is determined by ophthalmologic features peculiar to Egypt and not necessarily to the fact that a poorer training is received abroad. The Giza Laboratory functions chiefly as a central pathologic laboratory for the 52 government ophthalmic hospitals in