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Twentieth South African Medical Congress
SOCIETY PROCEEDINGS T W E N T I E T H SOUTH AFRICAN MEDICAL CONGRESS. Section on Special Subjects. PlETRMARITZBURG, J u l y 6-11, 1925. DR. D. J. WOOD, Presiding.
The Value of the Slit Lamp in Oph thalmic Practice. DR. D. J. WOOD mentioned the many advantages of this method of examina tion. He found a distinct difference in aspect of the iritis caused by syphilis or caused by rheumatism. Retinal Disease Associated with Streptococcal Infection. DR. D. J. WOOD gave the description of five cases of a particular type of retinitis and presented very fine pictures of the ophthalmoscopic aspect. The cases had several features in common. The ages were under 34: the tonsils or the throat harbored hemolytic strepto cocci ; the onset of the trouble of vision was sudden: the retina showed white spots connected with alterations in the blood vessels and flat detachments: there resulted a permanent loss of part of field of vision. An infection from the tonsils thru the blood is presumed. Ocular Paresis. DR. TEMPLE THURSTON read notes on a case of paresis of muscles of the left eye of a middle aged woman. The electric reaction of those muscles was tested and found to give what is known as the myasthenic reaction. In consul tation with a nerve specialist the diag nosis was made of myasthenia gravis.
Steel Injury to Eye. DR. TEMPLE THURSTON also reported the case of a boy with a piece of steel inside the eyeball. A week after the accident the foreign body was ex tracted thru the sclera by a giant mag net. Sixteen days later signs of irrita tion of the injured eye and of sympa thetic ophthalmia in the second eye were noticed and the first eye removed with good result for the second one. He holds the opinion that localization is not strictly necessary before the ex traction with the magnet.
535
Bailliart's Instruments Used for the Estimation of the Elasticity of the Small Arteries. DR. A. VERWEY showed the dynamo
meter and tonometer of Bailliart by the aid of which the diastolic and sys tolic pressure in the retinal arteries can be estimated. The pulse pressure, i.e., the difference between the systolic and diastolic pressures, is taken as an indicator of the elasticity of the blood vessels. A small difference between the pulse pressure in the brachial artery and in the retinal artery must be considered as a sign of reduced elasticity and as a warning of danger of cerebral hemorrhage in cases with high blood pressure. Focussing Thru Point-Focal Lenses in Practice. DR. A. VERWEY thinks that the main advantage of the point-focal lenses is due to a comparatively reduced devia tion of the principal ray in the peri phery, in a less extent to reduction of the blurring by astigmatism of the oblique pencil. These deviations are causative for faulty localization and apparent movements. The difference between following glance and project ing glance is mentioned; the apparent movements are connected with adjust ing movements of the head, while focussing. Disturbances and Diseases of the Endocrine Glands. DR. J. WILSON gave a broad descrip tion of the general influence of the endocrine glands and emphasized the difficulties arising from the reciprocal relations. A few facts which concern affections of the eyes are beyond doubt, as, the enlargement of the pos terior lobe of the pituitary in preg nancy, which may cause temporary hemianopsia and the many manifesta tions of Graves' disease in the eyes. Further, the influence of the thyroid gland and the pancreas is mentioned and the refraction changes due to en docrine disturbances. The important role of diabetes mellitus to eye trouble is fully acknowledged. A. VERWEY, Reporter.
The Value of the Slit Lamp in Oph thalmic Practice. DR. D. J. WOOD mentioned the many advantages of this method of examina tion. He found a distinct difference in aspect of the iritis caused by syphilis or caused by rheumatism. Retinal Disease Associated with Streptococcal Infection. DR. D. J. WOOD gave the description of five cases of a particular type of retinitis and presented very fine pictures of the ophthalmoscopic aspect. The cases had several features in common. The ages were under 34: the tonsils or the throat harbored hemolytic strepto cocci ; the onset of the trouble of vision was sudden: the retina showed white spots connected with alterations in the blood vessels and flat detachments: there resulted a permanent loss of part of field of vision. An infection from the tonsils thru the blood is presumed. Ocular Paresis. DR. TEMPLE THURSTON read notes on a case of paresis of muscles of the left eye of a middle aged woman. The electric reaction of those muscles was tested and found to give what is known as the myasthenic reaction. In consul tation with a nerve specialist the diag nosis was made of myasthenia gravis.
Steel Injury to Eye. DR. TEMPLE THURSTON also reported the case of a boy with a piece of steel inside the eyeball. A week after the accident the foreign body was ex tracted thru the sclera by a giant mag net. Sixteen days later signs of irrita tion of the injured eye and of sympa thetic ophthalmia in the second eye were noticed and the first eye removed with good result for the second one. He holds the opinion that localization is not strictly necessary before the ex traction with the magnet.
535
Bailliart's Instruments Used for the Estimation of the Elasticity of the Small Arteries. DR. A. VERWEY showed the dynamo
meter and tonometer of Bailliart by the aid of which the diastolic and sys tolic pressure in the retinal arteries can be estimated. The pulse pressure, i.e., the difference between the systolic and diastolic pressures, is taken as an indicator of the elasticity of the blood vessels. A small difference between the pulse pressure in the brachial artery and in the retinal artery must be considered as a sign of reduced elasticity and as a warning of danger of cerebral hemorrhage in cases with high blood pressure. Focussing Thru Point-Focal Lenses in Practice. DR. A. VERWEY thinks that the main advantage of the point-focal lenses is due to a comparatively reduced devia tion of the principal ray in the peri phery, in a less extent to reduction of the blurring by astigmatism of the oblique pencil. These deviations are causative for faulty localization and apparent movements. The difference between following glance and project ing glance is mentioned; the apparent movements are connected with adjust ing movements of the head, while focussing. Disturbances and Diseases of the Endocrine Glands. DR. J. WILSON gave a broad descrip tion of the general influence of the endocrine glands and emphasized the difficulties arising from the reciprocal relations. A few facts which concern affections of the eyes are beyond doubt, as, the enlargement of the pos terior lobe of the pituitary in preg nancy, which may cause temporary hemianopsia and the many manifesta tions of Graves' disease in the eyes. Further, the influence of the thyroid gland and the pancreas is mentioned and the refraction changes due to en docrine disturbances. The important role of diabetes mellitus to eye trouble is fully acknowledged. A. VERWEY, Reporter.