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Correlative Anatomy of the Nervous System
BOOK REVIEWS
SSO
CORRESPONDENCE P H O S P H O L I N E IODIDE AND BLOOD CHOLINESTERASE
Editor, American Journal of Ophthalmology: I was interested to read in the April issue of T H E JOURNAL, the report by de Roetth et al on "Phospholine Iodide and blood cholinesterase." It essentially corroborates my articles on anticholinesterase drugs published in T H E JOURNAL in 1959-1960. I also published a study of cholinesterase activity in other body tissues of the rabbit, "Chronic effects of miotic d r u g s " (Archives of Environmental Health, June, 1963, pp. 736-41). The enzymatic chemists who trained me in this assay used a W a r b u r g apparatus. I also used the Hestrin method described by de Roetth, but found that the "blank" readings of tissue and blood samples, prior to addition of acetylcholine, were high and varied, making this method of determination seem more subject to variation than the gas determination. Results could be compared, but the blank reading had to be deducted. H u m a n s can sustain extremely low levels of blood cholinesterase activity for long periods of time without showing symptoms. Rabbits may die during the early administration of the Phospholine Iodide as eyedrops ; and about 10 percent of the animals do die when given 0.25% solution of this agent as eyedrops. Adaptation to the drug occurs so that, when the drug has been given for a period of time, the animal can sustain large doses with little effect. Inhibition of cholinesterase activity is one of the aspects of d r u g therapy with this type of compound, but has no or little correlation with the effects on glaucoma. In the rabbit, phospholine uniformly raises the intraocular pressure after a few days of treatment, and the pressure falls after a few days on withdrawal ; 2 - P A M has little effect on this manifestation. W e measure cholinesterase, because it is one of the things we can quantitate, but it means little insofar as
glaucoma is concerned ; even though enzyme activity is reduced in the iris-ciliary body, miosis is not present in the rabbit after two or three days. Maurice Kadin, Panorama City, California.
*
*
*
D R . DE R O E T T H ' S REPLY
Editor, American Journal of Ophthalmology: W e thank Dr. Kadin for the interest shown in our publication. W e in turn were aware of his earlier publication concerning the effects of various anticholinesterases, but not Phospholine, on blood cholinesterase activity. Due to the expanding bibliography of papers in this area, we cited only those which were directly concerned with the effects of Phospholine on human cholinesterase activity. In a forthcoming paper on the effects of Phospholine on rabbit tissue, we most certainly intend to give proper recognition to D r . Kadin's previous study on cholinesterase inhibition of rabbit tissue by Phospholine. In reference to D r . Kadin's comments on techniques used in cholinesterase determinations, we found the Hestrin colorimetric method more reliable than the W a r b u r g , provided proper attention is paid to certain technical details. F o r instance, it is imperative that all samples be filtered prior to obtaining the optical density readings in the spectrophotometer, since precipitation of proteins after adding the reagents might give high and variable readings. Andrew de Roetth, Jr., New York.
BOOK REVIEWS CORRELATIVE
ANATOMY
OF T H E
NERVOUS
SYSTEM. By Elizabeth C. Crosby, Ph.D., T r y p h e n a H u m p h r e y , M.D., Ph.D., and E d w a r d W . Lauer, Ph.D., et al. N e w
BOOK REVIEWS York, The MacMillan Company, 1962. 579 pages, 364 figures, selected bibliography, atlas of transverse series (labeled) through the brain and spinal cord (31 figures), index. (Measures 8^4 by 11% by 1%. inches, weight 5 pounds.) Price: $15.00. This superb book is dedicated to the authors' students, past and present, who "have taught us many things." The major authors and collaborators hold or have held top academic posts in major universities. Dr. Crosby is emeritus professor of anatomy, University of Michigan, Dr. Humphrey is professor of anatomy, University of Pittsburgh, and Dr. Lauer is associate professor of anatomy, University of Michigan. The collaborators are Prof. J. A. Kappers (University of Groningen, the Netherlands), Prof. B. L. Baker (University of Michigan), Prof. C. L. Fox (Marquette University), associate Prof. Gillilan (University of Kentucky) and Prof. K. Scharenberg (University of Michigan). Although this book appeared in 1962, it had escaped our notice until now. This is a pity because of its importance to ophthalmologists in general and especially to those of us who are interested in neuro-ophthalmology. Still, it is worthwhile to draw your attention to this work because of its very readable importance. It is a teaching book, designed for this purpose. The text is clear, the paper excellent, the illustrations accurate and pertinent, and the selected references that are provided are up to date and enticing. While it may appear formidable and definitely is not a "lap book" the subject matter is skillfully arranged and in chain reaction order. The nine chapters include histology of the nerve cells, spinal cord anatomy, medulla oblongata and pons, cerebellum, midbrain, diencephalon, telencephalon, cerebral cortex, rhinencephalon and limbic lobe, histology and lamination of the neopallial cortex, parietal and occipital lobes, temporal lobe, cingulate region, insu-
551
la, gustatory centers, frontal lobe, certain general relations of the cerebral cortex, autonomie nervous system and final chapters on the blood vessels, méninges and the cerebrospinal fluid. In other words, the complete works. A most attractive feature, and I think the most important one that separates this massive work from many of its fellows, is the way the authors have tied in, at the appropriate points, the anatomic, pathologic and clinical features, very neatly. Those of us who have been out of school five years or more would do well to study this book, or at least have it at hand. It is so easy to forget general neuroanatomy, a knowledge of which is essential to the sound practice of ophthalmology. Just ask yourself how long has it been since you have reviewed neuroanatomy ? Derrick Vail.
DISEASES OF THE EYE. Edited by Sir Stewart Duke-Elder. Boston, Massachusetts, Little, Brown & Company, 1964, edition 14. 600 pages. Price: $16.50. One wonders how anyone who writes as prolifically as Sir Stewart has any time left over to attend the Queen or do detachment surgery on the Duke of Windsor. His latest book is the much revised 14th edition of Parson's Diseases of the Eye. Five years have elapsed since the 13th edition, necessitating the addition of much new material and the deletion of a good deal of old. The net result is a volume 15 pages shorter than its predecessor—a noteworthy feat in these days of increased verbage. There are many new illustrations, a good number in excellent color, and it seems that almost every page has been rewritten; so we have here virtually a new book, and a most excellent one at that. Thomas Chalkley.
PARSON'S
SSO
CORRESPONDENCE P H O S P H O L I N E IODIDE AND BLOOD CHOLINESTERASE
Editor, American Journal of Ophthalmology: I was interested to read in the April issue of T H E JOURNAL, the report by de Roetth et al on "Phospholine Iodide and blood cholinesterase." It essentially corroborates my articles on anticholinesterase drugs published in T H E JOURNAL in 1959-1960. I also published a study of cholinesterase activity in other body tissues of the rabbit, "Chronic effects of miotic d r u g s " (Archives of Environmental Health, June, 1963, pp. 736-41). The enzymatic chemists who trained me in this assay used a W a r b u r g apparatus. I also used the Hestrin method described by de Roetth, but found that the "blank" readings of tissue and blood samples, prior to addition of acetylcholine, were high and varied, making this method of determination seem more subject to variation than the gas determination. Results could be compared, but the blank reading had to be deducted. H u m a n s can sustain extremely low levels of blood cholinesterase activity for long periods of time without showing symptoms. Rabbits may die during the early administration of the Phospholine Iodide as eyedrops ; and about 10 percent of the animals do die when given 0.25% solution of this agent as eyedrops. Adaptation to the drug occurs so that, when the drug has been given for a period of time, the animal can sustain large doses with little effect. Inhibition of cholinesterase activity is one of the aspects of d r u g therapy with this type of compound, but has no or little correlation with the effects on glaucoma. In the rabbit, phospholine uniformly raises the intraocular pressure after a few days of treatment, and the pressure falls after a few days on withdrawal ; 2 - P A M has little effect on this manifestation. W e measure cholinesterase, because it is one of the things we can quantitate, but it means little insofar as
glaucoma is concerned ; even though enzyme activity is reduced in the iris-ciliary body, miosis is not present in the rabbit after two or three days. Maurice Kadin, Panorama City, California.
*
*
*
D R . DE R O E T T H ' S REPLY
Editor, American Journal of Ophthalmology: W e thank Dr. Kadin for the interest shown in our publication. W e in turn were aware of his earlier publication concerning the effects of various anticholinesterases, but not Phospholine, on blood cholinesterase activity. Due to the expanding bibliography of papers in this area, we cited only those which were directly concerned with the effects of Phospholine on human cholinesterase activity. In a forthcoming paper on the effects of Phospholine on rabbit tissue, we most certainly intend to give proper recognition to D r . Kadin's previous study on cholinesterase inhibition of rabbit tissue by Phospholine. In reference to D r . Kadin's comments on techniques used in cholinesterase determinations, we found the Hestrin colorimetric method more reliable than the W a r b u r g , provided proper attention is paid to certain technical details. F o r instance, it is imperative that all samples be filtered prior to obtaining the optical density readings in the spectrophotometer, since precipitation of proteins after adding the reagents might give high and variable readings. Andrew de Roetth, Jr., New York.
BOOK REVIEWS CORRELATIVE
ANATOMY
OF T H E
NERVOUS
SYSTEM. By Elizabeth C. Crosby, Ph.D., T r y p h e n a H u m p h r e y , M.D., Ph.D., and E d w a r d W . Lauer, Ph.D., et al. N e w
BOOK REVIEWS York, The MacMillan Company, 1962. 579 pages, 364 figures, selected bibliography, atlas of transverse series (labeled) through the brain and spinal cord (31 figures), index. (Measures 8^4 by 11% by 1%. inches, weight 5 pounds.) Price: $15.00. This superb book is dedicated to the authors' students, past and present, who "have taught us many things." The major authors and collaborators hold or have held top academic posts in major universities. Dr. Crosby is emeritus professor of anatomy, University of Michigan, Dr. Humphrey is professor of anatomy, University of Pittsburgh, and Dr. Lauer is associate professor of anatomy, University of Michigan. The collaborators are Prof. J. A. Kappers (University of Groningen, the Netherlands), Prof. B. L. Baker (University of Michigan), Prof. C. L. Fox (Marquette University), associate Prof. Gillilan (University of Kentucky) and Prof. K. Scharenberg (University of Michigan). Although this book appeared in 1962, it had escaped our notice until now. This is a pity because of its importance to ophthalmologists in general and especially to those of us who are interested in neuro-ophthalmology. Still, it is worthwhile to draw your attention to this work because of its very readable importance. It is a teaching book, designed for this purpose. The text is clear, the paper excellent, the illustrations accurate and pertinent, and the selected references that are provided are up to date and enticing. While it may appear formidable and definitely is not a "lap book" the subject matter is skillfully arranged and in chain reaction order. The nine chapters include histology of the nerve cells, spinal cord anatomy, medulla oblongata and pons, cerebellum, midbrain, diencephalon, telencephalon, cerebral cortex, rhinencephalon and limbic lobe, histology and lamination of the neopallial cortex, parietal and occipital lobes, temporal lobe, cingulate region, insu-
551
la, gustatory centers, frontal lobe, certain general relations of the cerebral cortex, autonomie nervous system and final chapters on the blood vessels, méninges and the cerebrospinal fluid. In other words, the complete works. A most attractive feature, and I think the most important one that separates this massive work from many of its fellows, is the way the authors have tied in, at the appropriate points, the anatomic, pathologic and clinical features, very neatly. Those of us who have been out of school five years or more would do well to study this book, or at least have it at hand. It is so easy to forget general neuroanatomy, a knowledge of which is essential to the sound practice of ophthalmology. Just ask yourself how long has it been since you have reviewed neuroanatomy ? Derrick Vail.
DISEASES OF THE EYE. Edited by Sir Stewart Duke-Elder. Boston, Massachusetts, Little, Brown & Company, 1964, edition 14. 600 pages. Price: $16.50. One wonders how anyone who writes as prolifically as Sir Stewart has any time left over to attend the Queen or do detachment surgery on the Duke of Windsor. His latest book is the much revised 14th edition of Parson's Diseases of the Eye. Five years have elapsed since the 13th edition, necessitating the addition of much new material and the deletion of a good deal of old. The net result is a volume 15 pages shorter than its predecessor—a noteworthy feat in these days of increased verbage. There are many new illustrations, a good number in excellent color, and it seems that almost every page has been rewritten; so we have here virtually a new book, and a most excellent one at that. Thomas Chalkley.
PARSON'S