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Air Service Medical: War Department
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BOOK NOTICES
457
W e can safely claim that never beBOOK NOTICES. fore have any large number of men Air Service Medical: War Department: Air Service Division of undergone such minute searching and Military Aeronautics. Octavo. 446 scientific examination as the fliers for pages. Illustrated. Washington, D. the American Army. Among these examinations the C. Government Printing Office, visual and ocular occupy a very im1919. portant place. In the 67 units estabThis large book, bringing up the med- lished for such examination 176 ophical history of the air service to March, thalmologists took part in the work. 1919, will be of great interest to the The investigation they conducted in medical profession in general. W e every instance covered the following can only note here the parts that refer points: especially to ophthalmology, and cer1. History of previous or present tain sections bearing on general func- eye trouble. tion and nutrition that include notable 2. Stereoscopic vision. effects on the eye. It is "for educa3. Ocular movements. tional purposes that the Director of 4. Pupillary reactions—direct, conMilitary Aeronautics deemed it advis- sensual, accommodation. able to issue this book. Its object is 5. Intraocular tension. to set forth Aviation's debt to Medi6. Any visible lesion of the eye. cine, and to make clear the part played 7. Nystagmus. by the Air Medical Service in the win8. Field of vision. ning of the war in the air." 9. Color vision. This work is sharply divided into 10. Muscle balance at 20 feet. three phases, the selection of the flier; 11. Visual acuity — distance, near the classification of the flier; and the point. maintenance of the physical efficiency 12. Ophthalmoscopic findings with of the flier. In the selection the object dilated pupil. was that no aviator should "fail in his The schedule is one that may well mission against the Hun because of be made the basis of any scheme for discoverable physical defect." The im- thoro ocular examination. The illusportance of this was not at first appre- trations and descriptions here given of ciated by anyone, and" is still not un- the conduct of such an investigation derstood by those who have not suffi- make this work an extremely valuable ciently studied the matter. The ap- guide for anyone desiring to perfect proximate statistics thus stated are himself in methods of ocular diagnosis. startling. "When it is stated that 2 Of the men presenting themselves per cent of the total number of fliers as applicants for the air service, 29.3 incapacitated for further air service are per cent failed to pass the physical exput out by the Hun, and 8 per cent amination; and of these 5.9 failed in because of mechanical shortcomings of the eye examination alone; 7 per cent the airplane, the remaining 90 per cent in two tests, and 8.6 per cent in three looms large when it is realized that or more tests. Practically 50 per cent this proportion represents troubles in of those rejected failed to meet the the flier himself:" eye requirements. Of 59 thus rejected In the light of experience, the mi- for eye defects, 33 had low visual acuity, nute investigation of the special senses 10 had defective color vision, 7 imperand general physical fitness of appli- fect muscle balance, 5 lacked stereocants for the air service, that have been scopic vision, and 3 were eliminated often adversely criticized is more than because of the ophthalmoscopic evijustified. Men were rejected, not be- dences of disease. The effects of altitude or of oxygen cause they could not fly, but because under the stress of air battle some slight deficiency on ocular functions, particudiscoverable weakness or tendency larly visual acuity, accommodation, the field of vision, and motor coordination would turn the balance against them.
458
BOOK NOTICES
is so important, and so much light has been thrown upon the subject by the laboratory researches carried on in connection with the Air Service Medical, that it will be considered separately in a later issue. It is rarely that a volume of solid scientific worth contains so much of dramatic interest and romance. It is worthy the careful perusal of anyone who can secure it. E. J. Revista Cubana de Oftalmologia. Published quarterly. Dr. Francisco Maria Fernandez, Editor. Dr. Jesus M. Penichet, Secretary. Havana, Cuba. Subscription Price, $6 per year. It is not often that a new ophthalmic journal has a chance to fill a real and long felt want; but this one has that opportunity and uses it admirably. The first number is put out as a double number covering the first half of the year 1919, and consists of 226 pages, of which 14 are given to a biographic section, 112 pages to original papers, and the remainder to progress of ophthalmology and reviews of ophthalmic journals and societies, with notices of deaths, and miscellaneous items. The biographic section contains 6 biographies, each accompanied by a half tone portrait. Of the 24 original papers, 2 are illustrated. T h e paper used and the press work are good; so that the Revista Cubana makes a better appearance than any ophthalmic journal heretofore printed in the Spanish language. W e know enough of the work of Drs. Fernandez and Penichet to feel sure that this will be an addition of real value to the ophthalmic journals of the world. Spanish-speaking countries, especially those of America, have recently manifested an active and productive interest in ophthalmology. Thru this channel they will have something of real worth to offer to the general store of our literature.
E. J.
Section on Ophthalmology, American Medical Association. Presession Volume for 1919. Edited by the Sec- • retary, A. E. Bulson, Jr., pages 307. Illustrated. This volume, altho printed and circulated, is not published. It is distributed free to those who have registered as members in attendance at a meeting of the Section within the last five years. It is the most valuable piece of free ophthalmic literature we know of. On the other hand, those whose papers are thus distributed have 1,000 or 1,200 reprints of their papers sent to the most appreciative list of readers, for much less than they could get the same number of reprints sent any other way. It might be objected that this duplicates the volume of Transactions to appear later. In a way it does; but it adds greatly to the value of that volume by bringing out discussions of much higher value than could be had without this; and those discussions will be a most valuable part of the Transactions.
E. J.
BIOGRAPHIC SKETCHES T H O M A S HALL SIIASTID SUPERIOR, wis.
URBAN S. BIRD.
An ophthalmologist
and oto-laryngologist of Tampa, Florida, well known thruout the South. Born in 1867, he received the medical degree at Tulane University, New Orleans, in 1895, and at once settled in Tampa. Ten years later he went again to New Orleans, where he studied ophthalmology and oto-laryngology for two years. Returning to Tampa he practiced there as ophthalmologist and oto-laryngologist for the remainder of his life. He was a member of the American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society. and a surgeon of U. S. volunteers during the war with Spain. H e also held a lieutenant's commission in the American Army during the Great War, and was honorably discharged Dec. 5, 1918. He died Jan. 11, 1919.
BOOK NOTICES
457
W e can safely claim that never beBOOK NOTICES. fore have any large number of men Air Service Medical: War Department: Air Service Division of undergone such minute searching and Military Aeronautics. Octavo. 446 scientific examination as the fliers for pages. Illustrated. Washington, D. the American Army. Among these examinations the C. Government Printing Office, visual and ocular occupy a very im1919. portant place. In the 67 units estabThis large book, bringing up the med- lished for such examination 176 ophical history of the air service to March, thalmologists took part in the work. 1919, will be of great interest to the The investigation they conducted in medical profession in general. W e every instance covered the following can only note here the parts that refer points: especially to ophthalmology, and cer1. History of previous or present tain sections bearing on general func- eye trouble. tion and nutrition that include notable 2. Stereoscopic vision. effects on the eye. It is "for educa3. Ocular movements. tional purposes that the Director of 4. Pupillary reactions—direct, conMilitary Aeronautics deemed it advis- sensual, accommodation. able to issue this book. Its object is 5. Intraocular tension. to set forth Aviation's debt to Medi6. Any visible lesion of the eye. cine, and to make clear the part played 7. Nystagmus. by the Air Medical Service in the win8. Field of vision. ning of the war in the air." 9. Color vision. This work is sharply divided into 10. Muscle balance at 20 feet. three phases, the selection of the flier; 11. Visual acuity — distance, near the classification of the flier; and the point. maintenance of the physical efficiency 12. Ophthalmoscopic findings with of the flier. In the selection the object dilated pupil. was that no aviator should "fail in his The schedule is one that may well mission against the Hun because of be made the basis of any scheme for discoverable physical defect." The im- thoro ocular examination. The illusportance of this was not at first appre- trations and descriptions here given of ciated by anyone, and" is still not un- the conduct of such an investigation derstood by those who have not suffi- make this work an extremely valuable ciently studied the matter. The ap- guide for anyone desiring to perfect proximate statistics thus stated are himself in methods of ocular diagnosis. startling. "When it is stated that 2 Of the men presenting themselves per cent of the total number of fliers as applicants for the air service, 29.3 incapacitated for further air service are per cent failed to pass the physical exput out by the Hun, and 8 per cent amination; and of these 5.9 failed in because of mechanical shortcomings of the eye examination alone; 7 per cent the airplane, the remaining 90 per cent in two tests, and 8.6 per cent in three looms large when it is realized that or more tests. Practically 50 per cent this proportion represents troubles in of those rejected failed to meet the the flier himself:" eye requirements. Of 59 thus rejected In the light of experience, the mi- for eye defects, 33 had low visual acuity, nute investigation of the special senses 10 had defective color vision, 7 imperand general physical fitness of appli- fect muscle balance, 5 lacked stereocants for the air service, that have been scopic vision, and 3 were eliminated often adversely criticized is more than because of the ophthalmoscopic evijustified. Men were rejected, not be- dences of disease. The effects of altitude or of oxygen cause they could not fly, but because under the stress of air battle some slight deficiency on ocular functions, particudiscoverable weakness or tendency larly visual acuity, accommodation, the field of vision, and motor coordination would turn the balance against them.
458
BOOK NOTICES
is so important, and so much light has been thrown upon the subject by the laboratory researches carried on in connection with the Air Service Medical, that it will be considered separately in a later issue. It is rarely that a volume of solid scientific worth contains so much of dramatic interest and romance. It is worthy the careful perusal of anyone who can secure it. E. J. Revista Cubana de Oftalmologia. Published quarterly. Dr. Francisco Maria Fernandez, Editor. Dr. Jesus M. Penichet, Secretary. Havana, Cuba. Subscription Price, $6 per year. It is not often that a new ophthalmic journal has a chance to fill a real and long felt want; but this one has that opportunity and uses it admirably. The first number is put out as a double number covering the first half of the year 1919, and consists of 226 pages, of which 14 are given to a biographic section, 112 pages to original papers, and the remainder to progress of ophthalmology and reviews of ophthalmic journals and societies, with notices of deaths, and miscellaneous items. The biographic section contains 6 biographies, each accompanied by a half tone portrait. Of the 24 original papers, 2 are illustrated. T h e paper used and the press work are good; so that the Revista Cubana makes a better appearance than any ophthalmic journal heretofore printed in the Spanish language. W e know enough of the work of Drs. Fernandez and Penichet to feel sure that this will be an addition of real value to the ophthalmic journals of the world. Spanish-speaking countries, especially those of America, have recently manifested an active and productive interest in ophthalmology. Thru this channel they will have something of real worth to offer to the general store of our literature.
E. J.
Section on Ophthalmology, American Medical Association. Presession Volume for 1919. Edited by the Sec- • retary, A. E. Bulson, Jr., pages 307. Illustrated. This volume, altho printed and circulated, is not published. It is distributed free to those who have registered as members in attendance at a meeting of the Section within the last five years. It is the most valuable piece of free ophthalmic literature we know of. On the other hand, those whose papers are thus distributed have 1,000 or 1,200 reprints of their papers sent to the most appreciative list of readers, for much less than they could get the same number of reprints sent any other way. It might be objected that this duplicates the volume of Transactions to appear later. In a way it does; but it adds greatly to the value of that volume by bringing out discussions of much higher value than could be had without this; and those discussions will be a most valuable part of the Transactions.
E. J.
BIOGRAPHIC SKETCHES T H O M A S HALL SIIASTID SUPERIOR, wis.
URBAN S. BIRD.
An ophthalmologist
and oto-laryngologist of Tampa, Florida, well known thruout the South. Born in 1867, he received the medical degree at Tulane University, New Orleans, in 1895, and at once settled in Tampa. Ten years later he went again to New Orleans, where he studied ophthalmology and oto-laryngology for two years. Returning to Tampa he practiced there as ophthalmologist and oto-laryngologist for the remainder of his life. He was a member of the American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society. and a surgeon of U. S. volunteers during the war with Spain. H e also held a lieutenant's commission in the American Army during the Great War, and was honorably discharged Dec. 5, 1918. He died Jan. 11, 1919.