John Foster

AN OCULIST IN SWITZERLAND

THE account which follows is a precis of lectures given on this subject at the Royal Society of Medicine and the Tennent Institute. It describes the Swiss portion of an ophthalmic tour in August and September, 1946. The kindness of the heads of the various clinics during the visit, and in responding to numerous enquiries subsequently, is a matter for which I would like to express my gratitude. The writer doubts if it is possible to see so much of ophthalmic interest in so small an area in any other part of the world. Switzerland is not only a creative amalgam of three European civilisations, but is also endowed with a niost excellent transport system, has had 122 years of continuous peace, and has a firstclass precision engineering and pharmaceutical industry in addition.

RECONSTRUCTION OF THE LOWER LID BY HUGHES' METHOD

unloading of the sinuses, which occurred spontaneously in one case, and was obtained in the others .by appropriate intra-nasal treatment. The gradual widening of the fields as the sinuses are drained is a source of satisfaction and encouragement to the patient, who finds in it a visual irecord of his. progress, and the gradual disappearance of his toxic symptoms makes him thq more willing to persevere. As the sinusitis in all these cases escaped detection for long periods, in some even for years, and only became evident through the unloading of its secretion, it is not unreasonable to surmise that the same may be true of many another unexplained case of retrobulbar neuritis. The large percentage of obscure cases may thus be substantially reduced, if not altogether eliminated.

BURIED SILK, CATGUT AND STRABISMUS SUTURES

A PHOTOMETER. is described with which the scotopic candlepowers of-very feebl-e light sources (down to about 10-9 candle) can be measured. Small spots of radium paint, 2 or 3 mm. in diameter and having candlepowers in the range covered, are now used (Livingston) to-plot the, dark-adapted visual field, and the present photometer was designed --primarily for their calibration. The radium paint emits green light but the instrument can be used for

Table Viewer as an Aid to Clinical Demonstration

WHILE a dermatologist can demonstrate a case to a dozen students simultaneously, the ophthalmologist, owing to the size or position of eye lesions, may have to do so to the members of his class successively. To avoid delay and discomfort to patients, it is essential, therefore, that each student should understand clearly in advance what he is trying to see. At Edinburgh, lantern-lectures are given in a theatre in the clinic itself, the subject being determined by the presence of one or two cases of a given disease, which are thereafter demonstrated clinically. This has the added advantage that pictures can be shown of other stages and of the underlying pathology of the disease. Facts demonstrated so systematically are far more likely to be retained then the salient points of six or seven cases demonstrated clinically as they occur in out-patients. Unfortunately, in the Leeds Infirmary Eye Department, as in most teaching hospitals, there is not enough space for a conventionally annexed lecturetheatre for lantern-slide projection.

LATERAL ORBITOTOMY (Krönlein)

A Text-book of Ophthalmology. By SANFORD R. GIFFORD, M.A., F.A.C.S. Third edition. 470 pp., 260 illustrations, including 43 in colour. W. B. Saunders Company, Limited, London and Philadelphia. 20/That this remarkable text-book has reached its third edition is a tribute to its worth and its appreciation by medical practitioners and students. This edition was completed before the authors death, and the revision of this work shows his characteristic thoroughness and care. New sections have be-en added about ptosis, contact lenses, cyclodiathermy and epidermic keratoconjunctivitis. The text is well balanced in its treatment of the commoner eye diseases and has been brought up-to-date. The illustrations, many of which are photographs, are excellent and give the student a vivid picture of disease processes affecting the ,eye. This book is especially valuable for general practitioners, house surgeons and students. Its production is of a high standard.