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Refraction of the Eye
BOOK NOTICE through its real-estate committee could act as a clearing house for information regarding office space. Doctors who may have some excess space they could turn over could notify this committee and give the ex-officer a break in finding room in which to work. Perhaps temporary arrangements in the use of a colleague's office and equipment during certain hours would tide the ex-medical officer over some stormy days while he is getting his own space settled. New equipment, particularly ophthalmic, is most difficult to get. The instrument houses are cooperating fully, however, and if the returned physician will enclose a copy of his service certificate with his order, the chances are that a high priority will be given the order, and delivery of the equipment and instruments expedited. Last, but not least, should be mentioned the social welcome home of the returned medical officer. The local ophthalmological society can do a good service here by setting aside at its monthly meeting a time devoted to welcome by name and honor in person those opthalmologists, fellow members, who have returned to civilian life during the month. A hearty handshake and an honest welcome will go a long way toward the reaffirmation of friendships and trust. It need not be formal or speechmaking in nature, but it must be sincere. Derrick Vail.
BOOK NOTICE REFRACTION O F T H E EYE. By Alfred Cowan, M.D. Second edition. Clothbound, 278 pages, 181 engravings and 3 color plates. Philadelphia, Lea and Febiger, 1945. Price $4.75. With an excellent background of theoretical and practical physiological optics
1385
and many years' experience in the teaching of this subject at the University of Pennsylvania, the author published the first edition of "Refraction of the eye" in 1938. This book has since become a standard reference work in its field. In this second edition there is very little change from the earlier publication, and almost no new material has been added except for a somewhat more detailed discussion of such subjects as contact lenses and aniseikonia, in keeping with more recent advances. The inclusion of a few new diagrams and minor rewriting of some of the explanatory material serve further to clarify an already lucid text. The section on physiological optics, which constitutes the major portion of the book, is particularly valuable because of the practice, continued from the earlier edition, of adding a brief recapitulation at the conclusion of various chapters, thus serving to summarize the important points in the more or less involved material under discussion. The objective and subjective methods of refraction necessarily reflect the personal beliefs and practice of the author but nevertheless offer an excellent working basis for the student. The description of the various types of bifocals is particularly practical. Increased amount of material per page, in keeping with modern practice, has resulted in a reduction of the total number of pages from 319 to 278, but the text remains extremely legible and well printed. As has been well demonstrated by the examinations of the American Board of Ophthalmology the field of physiological optics is one in which ophthalmologists frequently show a deficiency. Dr. Cowan's efforts should continue to be of help in preparing students in this phase of their theoretical and practical training. William A. Mann.
BOOK NOTICE REFRACTION O F T H E EYE. By Alfred Cowan, M.D. Second edition. Clothbound, 278 pages, 181 engravings and 3 color plates. Philadelphia, Lea and Febiger, 1945. Price $4.75. With an excellent background of theoretical and practical physiological optics
1385
and many years' experience in the teaching of this subject at the University of Pennsylvania, the author published the first edition of "Refraction of the eye" in 1938. This book has since become a standard reference work in its field. In this second edition there is very little change from the earlier publication, and almost no new material has been added except for a somewhat more detailed discussion of such subjects as contact lenses and aniseikonia, in keeping with more recent advances. The inclusion of a few new diagrams and minor rewriting of some of the explanatory material serve further to clarify an already lucid text. The section on physiological optics, which constitutes the major portion of the book, is particularly valuable because of the practice, continued from the earlier edition, of adding a brief recapitulation at the conclusion of various chapters, thus serving to summarize the important points in the more or less involved material under discussion. The objective and subjective methods of refraction necessarily reflect the personal beliefs and practice of the author but nevertheless offer an excellent working basis for the student. The description of the various types of bifocals is particularly practical. Increased amount of material per page, in keeping with modern practice, has resulted in a reduction of the total number of pages from 319 to 278, but the text remains extremely legible and well printed. As has been well demonstrated by the examinations of the American Board of Ophthalmology the field of physiological optics is one in which ophthalmologists frequently show a deficiency. Dr. Cowan's efforts should continue to be of help in preparing students in this phase of their theoretical and practical training. William A. Mann.