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Binocular Imbalance
1255
OBITUARY
Philadelphia, W. B. Saunders Com pany, 1942. Price $2.50. The seventh edition of this well-known book attempts to cover fundamental, spe cial information, and nurse's procedures peculiar to these fields. It is divided into five major divisions; eye, ear, nose, and throat, and a portion that includes chap ters on subjects in a related field. Anato my and physiology, including diagrams and text, are clear and well defined and are valuable as introductions to the in cluded fields of study but, because it at tempts to cover too much ground, no particular part of its material can be ade quate. The nurse should find this book helpful as a review. Due to the omission of many phases of actual nursing care of the patient, it will prove inadequate as a reference text. The subject matter is repetitious probably because of the col laboration of so many authors. The ex plicit directions of the nurse's care of the patient seem to be omitted or at least poorly outlined. As a simple text of eye, ear, nose, and throat conditions for nurse's reference it is satisfactory. Monica Montgomery, R.N.
BINOCULAR IMBALANCE. By Mar garet Dobson, M.D. Clothbound, 91 pp., illustrated, indexed. London, H. K. Lewis and Co., Ltd., 1942. In her preface Miss Dobson limits her field to the establishment of correct re lationship between the relative amplitudes of convergence and accommodation. The author begins with an exposition of the value of single binocular vision, a descrip tion of tests for measuring it, and lists the causes to be checked when the findings show binocular imbalance. Taking each cause in turn Miss Dobson discusses the ocular muscles, with special reference to convergence and "ductions," the influence of refraction errors, and the
heterophorias. Each topic includes defini tions, measurement techniques, and brief suggestions for correction by orthoptic exercises. All the material is very much con densed. The volume makes a convenient summary of an often-neglected field of ocular discomfort. The test and measure ments recommended are very largely sub jective in their techniques. No sugges tions are made for helping children or "difficult" adult patients to analyze their observations or to perform the exercises correctly. The nomenclature differs from the most acceptable standards in this country ; notably in the use of the terms "ductions" and "suspension of vision." However, definitions are carefully given and there is no excuse for misunderstand ing the author's meaning. Orthoptic exercises are given in brief est outline, and some of the apparatus is unfamiliar in this country. The exercises suggested are not well adapted for use with children. There are no case histories, and no mention of how long it would take to correct the various types of imbalance according to the author's techniques. The chief value of the manual lies in its emphasis on the importance of the de tection of muscle imbalances that are due to innervational causes, and their correctability by proper refraction and orthoptic exercises. The function of the various techniques is clearly outlined, but skill in their application is assumed rather than taught in this compact volume. Julia E. Lancaster, M.A.
OBITUARY DR. WILLIAM H E R B E R T LOWRY 1880-1942 William Herbert Lowry, M.D.C.M., M.R.C.S., F.R.C.S. (C), the son of Wil liam Hugh and Ann Jane Hill Lowry, was born in Acton, Ontario, on Septem-
OBITUARY
Philadelphia, W. B. Saunders Com pany, 1942. Price $2.50. The seventh edition of this well-known book attempts to cover fundamental, spe cial information, and nurse's procedures peculiar to these fields. It is divided into five major divisions; eye, ear, nose, and throat, and a portion that includes chap ters on subjects in a related field. Anato my and physiology, including diagrams and text, are clear and well defined and are valuable as introductions to the in cluded fields of study but, because it at tempts to cover too much ground, no particular part of its material can be ade quate. The nurse should find this book helpful as a review. Due to the omission of many phases of actual nursing care of the patient, it will prove inadequate as a reference text. The subject matter is repetitious probably because of the col laboration of so many authors. The ex plicit directions of the nurse's care of the patient seem to be omitted or at least poorly outlined. As a simple text of eye, ear, nose, and throat conditions for nurse's reference it is satisfactory. Monica Montgomery, R.N.
BINOCULAR IMBALANCE. By Mar garet Dobson, M.D. Clothbound, 91 pp., illustrated, indexed. London, H. K. Lewis and Co., Ltd., 1942. In her preface Miss Dobson limits her field to the establishment of correct re lationship between the relative amplitudes of convergence and accommodation. The author begins with an exposition of the value of single binocular vision, a descrip tion of tests for measuring it, and lists the causes to be checked when the findings show binocular imbalance. Taking each cause in turn Miss Dobson discusses the ocular muscles, with special reference to convergence and "ductions," the influence of refraction errors, and the
heterophorias. Each topic includes defini tions, measurement techniques, and brief suggestions for correction by orthoptic exercises. All the material is very much con densed. The volume makes a convenient summary of an often-neglected field of ocular discomfort. The test and measure ments recommended are very largely sub jective in their techniques. No sugges tions are made for helping children or "difficult" adult patients to analyze their observations or to perform the exercises correctly. The nomenclature differs from the most acceptable standards in this country ; notably in the use of the terms "ductions" and "suspension of vision." However, definitions are carefully given and there is no excuse for misunderstand ing the author's meaning. Orthoptic exercises are given in brief est outline, and some of the apparatus is unfamiliar in this country. The exercises suggested are not well adapted for use with children. There are no case histories, and no mention of how long it would take to correct the various types of imbalance according to the author's techniques. The chief value of the manual lies in its emphasis on the importance of the de tection of muscle imbalances that are due to innervational causes, and their correctability by proper refraction and orthoptic exercises. The function of the various techniques is clearly outlined, but skill in their application is assumed rather than taught in this compact volume. Julia E. Lancaster, M.A.
OBITUARY DR. WILLIAM H E R B E R T LOWRY 1880-1942 William Herbert Lowry, M.D.C.M., M.R.C.S., F.R.C.S. (C), the son of Wil liam Hugh and Ann Jane Hill Lowry, was born in Acton, Ontario, on Septem-