William M. James

The Lysozyme Content of Tears

Tears were collected with capillary pipettes from 100 clinically normal persons without irritating the eyes, and the bacteriolytic titer was determined under standard conditions, using M. lysodeikticus as the test organism. No relationship could be established between the titer variations and the age, sex, or race of the subject. Acute corneal lesions with sustained epiphora were investigated with respect to the value of the titer present, and this was found to be reduced in syphilitic keratitis, ulcerative keratitis, and in trachoma with active corneal changes. Nonspecific foreign protein had no effect on the lysozyme content in iridocyclitis after atropinization of the eyes. Pooled samples of tears had no effect, macroscopically, on bacteria cultured from the conjunctiva, but the bacteriostatic action of lysozyme was apparent on all the organisms tested. No bacteriolytic action was demonstrable on three strains of B. granulosis nor on strains of virulent staphylococcus. The effect of collyria on the bacteriolytic action of tears was determined. Strains of bacteria resistant to lysozyme develop rapidly when the organism is grown in the presence of lysozyme. From the Department of Ophthalmology, Washington University School of Medicine. Read before the Association for Research in Ophthalmology, Atlantic City, June 11, 1935.

The Influence of Dietary Deficiency on the Transmissibility of Trachoma to Monkeys

The influence of dietary deficiency on the transmissibility of trachoma to monkeys was studied. Twenty-two malnourished monkeys were inoculated with fresh trachomatous material; follicular changes developed in the inoculated eyes in seventeen monkeys after a period of 16-37 days and persisted for 17-90 days. There was no transfer of the process to the uninoculated eye. In 15 well-nourished monkeys inoculated by the same technic, follicular changes developed in 13 after a period of 8-30 days, spread to the uninoculated eye, and persisted for 5-10 months. Neither macroscopic scarring of the conjunctiva nor corneal involvement occurred in either series. Diets low in vitamins, low in protein, and high in fats were used. From the Oscar Johnson Institute, Washington University, School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri. Conducted under a grant from the Commonwealth Fund of New York.

Observations on the Reducing Substances (Glucose) of the Aqueous and Vitreous Humors of the Eye

In the fasting rabbit under dial anesthesia the glucose values were: aqueous 164 mg. percent, vitreous 104 mg. percent, venous blood 137 mg. percent, arterial blood 158 mg. percent. The aqueous glucose followed closely fluctuations in the blood glucose. The vitreous glucose did not follow so closely the rise and fall of the blood glucose. Operative procedures used to relieve intraocular hypertension produced no significant alterations in the glucose values of the aqueous or vitreous. Adrenaline, eserine, or atropine applied locally to the eye produced material changes in the rate of diffusion of glucose between the blood, aqueous, and vitreous. Changes in the intraocular pressure were recorded with alterations of the blood glucose. In the normal eye no significant changes in intraocular pressure were noted following the local application of atropine, eserine, or acetylcholine. Various types of mechanical irritation of the uveal bed were followed by prompt increases in intraocular pressure. From the Department of Ophthalmology, Washington University School of Medicine. Read before the Association for Research in Ophthalmology at Kansas City, Missouri, May 12, 1936.

Plasmoma of the Conjunctiva

The literature of plasmoma is carefully reviewed. In fifteen of the thirty cases which have been reported trachoma was present. The authors patient had harelip and cleft palate. He had spent his life in a district where trachoma was prevalent, and had been under treatment for chronic trachoma. Masses of redundant tissue protruded from the caruncle and from the fornices. Excision of the masses, together with x-ray and radium therapy, led to a favorable outcome. From the department of ophthalmology, Washington University School of Medicine.