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Contribution to the Embryology of the Eye
1014
BOOK NOTICES
The increase of almost fifty percent in the size of this report as cümi)arcd with its immediate predecessor, is occupied by matter of scientific interest. The scientific communications refer to unusual ocular conditions not often reported from other j)arts of the world, such as an epidemic of sui)erficial ¡ninctate keratitis, familial conditions, fundus changes in eclampsia, and quinine amblyopia. Some of these will be presented in abstract in an early number of this Journal. The cataract work included 1669 operations, of which 57 were simple extractions, 13.58 extractions with iridectomy, 12 intraca])sular extractions, and 119 by the Barraquer method. O'Brien's method of akinesis was used, and was found easier and quicker than the method previously described. The factors which influence intraocular l)ressure during cataract operations, after section of the cornea, were studied. For glaucoma, sclerocorneal trephining is still the most important operative resource. It was used in l l 4 cases, while the Lagrange method or some modification was used in 38. Illustrations include a chart showing the monthly inciilence of superficial keratitis: a case of exophthalmos treated by larsorrhaiihy; and one of retraction of the globe with e.\o¡)htlialmos on stüoi)ing forward. ILd-æard Jackson.
countries, Japan, and the United States were gathered and entrusted to Professor Oblath for the preparation of this rei)ort. It is distributed in the United States by the \Vor!d I*e;ice Foundation, Boston. The introduction discusses color theories and the color sense, normal and defective. The second part takes up the importance of the color sense in certain occupations. Part 3 gives 13 methods of testing color perception. The color plates show the [)seudüisochromatic diagrams of .N'agel, Stilling, Schaan', and Blum, and one from Ishihara. The line illustrations represent the anonialoscojic of Nagel. Part 4 describes cxaminatioi\ of color sense in various occupations. Part 5 gives conclusions and suggestions. International standards f
Color vision tests. By Prot'es^or Oscar Oblath, lecturer on clinical ophthiilmology, Trieste. Translated by Sir John -Marshall, Glasgow. Paper, eight volumes, 48 j)ages, 3 colored i)lates and 3 other illustrations. Price 2 shillings. London, P. .S. King and Son, 1929. This work comes from the International Labor Office, Geneva. The Scandinavian O])hthalniological t'ongress, having discussed the need for uniform tests for color vision, submitted a resolution for international stand.irdiz.ition of such tests. Data with regard to the testing of color vision in the air, rail, and sea services of thirteen European
Contribution to the embryology of the eye. By .-\. Hagcdoorn. Doctorate thesis in medicine at the University of -Amsterdam. Rei>rinted from the .Archiv fiir .\ugenheilkunde, volume 102. Octavo, 119 p;iges, p.-ijier covers. Price not given. Verlag von J. F. Bergmann, München, 19.30. Hagcdoorn studied the early embryology in amphibians, fish, reptiles, birds, bats, mammals and man. In small human embryos (18 mm.) there are already present a large number of mesodermal cells between the superficial epithelium on one side and
BOOK
NOTICES
the lens and optic cup on the other; the endothelium with the perforated postendothelial tissue here contains many more cells than in tarsius. A little later (22 to 25 mm.) the endothelium is strongly developed, while the porous postendothelial tissue has to a great extent atrophied. Only a membranous pupillary membrane remains. Between the endothelium and epithelium the cornea definita ectodermalis is now very distinct; in fact, more so than in tarsius, but thinner than in birds. Later the stroma cells, independent of the endothelium, grow into this layer to form the cornea definitivia mesodermalis. Soon the vascularized pupillary membrane arises. As the result of his work, Hagedoorn has a new theory of the origin of the eye to replace the old, complicated one of the development of the eye from the three heterogeneous elements (ectoderm, mesoderm, entoderm). He feels that the origin is in homogeneous development from the rudiment of the eye in the medullary plate. In this development, mesoderm and ectoderm play a secondary role. A further evidence of the homogeneous development of the eye is found in cuttlefish, where the eye has its origin from ectoderm. Cuttlefish are not of the same racial form as vertebrates. From this and other work on comparative embryology, Hagedoorn concludes that the development of the eye depends primarily upon a preformed rudimentary eye and not upon certain tissues. The thesis is divided into five parts, with the author's conclusions at the end of both. It is the result of very extensive and painstaking work upon the comparative embryology of the eye, and some of its theories are new and interesting.
/ ' . C.
Cordes.
Ocular adenoidism and trachoma. By Professor A. Angelucci. 166 pages. Published by Vittorio Indelson, Naples. Price 12 lire. This monograph, coming from the pen of an experienced and distinguished ophthalmologist, is both opportune and
1015
important. It appeared on the eve of the meeting of the "International League Against Trachoma", and is the result of observations in a field in which the disease is widespread and destructive. The author had already made many important communications on this subject. The present volume, enlarging, emphasizing, and abundantly documenting his contentions, is his contribution as honorary vice-president of the "International Society for the Prevention of Blindness". The view presented is that true trachoma is not a distinctive entity per se but that it is an advanced stage of follicular conjunctivitis in which the corneal surface becomes involved. It finds its ready development in an adenoid condition which extends to and involves the conjunctival tissue. It is often familial, and frequently has a hereditary, luetic or tuberculous foundation. It is associated with definite changes in the blood chemistry in which the normal balance between calcium and potassium content is lost, and followed by hemolysis of the red corpuscles with leucocytosis and anemia. This etiology of trachoma does not preclude the possibility of a specific bacillus or any as yet unknown filterable virus that is eflfective in fertile soil. But this etiology of necessity radically changes the accepted methods of treatment. In every instance measures are directed to making free the na.sopharyngeal passages. Operative measures are directed to the reduction or removal of Luschka's tonsil and to ethmoidal hypertrophies, as well as to the hyperplasia within the lids. The adequate amount of vitamins, almost always lacking, is secured by giving pure milk, fresh fruit, cod-liver oil. and so on, at regular intervals. Heliotherapy is not neglected and, where possible, children are sent during their vacation periods to the sea and to the mountains as their conditions require. Subconjunctival injections are frequently used. The author's rather long formulæ for local and general treatment are given specific names under which
BOOK NOTICES
The increase of almost fifty percent in the size of this report as cümi)arcd with its immediate predecessor, is occupied by matter of scientific interest. The scientific communications refer to unusual ocular conditions not often reported from other j)arts of the world, such as an epidemic of sui)erficial ¡ninctate keratitis, familial conditions, fundus changes in eclampsia, and quinine amblyopia. Some of these will be presented in abstract in an early number of this Journal. The cataract work included 1669 operations, of which 57 were simple extractions, 13.58 extractions with iridectomy, 12 intraca])sular extractions, and 119 by the Barraquer method. O'Brien's method of akinesis was used, and was found easier and quicker than the method previously described. The factors which influence intraocular l)ressure during cataract operations, after section of the cornea, were studied. For glaucoma, sclerocorneal trephining is still the most important operative resource. It was used in l l 4 cases, while the Lagrange method or some modification was used in 38. Illustrations include a chart showing the monthly inciilence of superficial keratitis: a case of exophthalmos treated by larsorrhaiihy; and one of retraction of the globe with e.\o¡)htlialmos on stüoi)ing forward. ILd-æard Jackson.
countries, Japan, and the United States were gathered and entrusted to Professor Oblath for the preparation of this rei)ort. It is distributed in the United States by the \Vor!d I*e;ice Foundation, Boston. The introduction discusses color theories and the color sense, normal and defective. The second part takes up the importance of the color sense in certain occupations. Part 3 gives 13 methods of testing color perception. The color plates show the [)seudüisochromatic diagrams of .N'agel, Stilling, Schaan', and Blum, and one from Ishihara. The line illustrations represent the anonialoscojic of Nagel. Part 4 describes cxaminatioi\ of color sense in various occupations. Part 5 gives conclusions and suggestions. International standards f
Color vision tests. By Prot'es^or Oscar Oblath, lecturer on clinical ophthiilmology, Trieste. Translated by Sir John -Marshall, Glasgow. Paper, eight volumes, 48 j)ages, 3 colored i)lates and 3 other illustrations. Price 2 shillings. London, P. .S. King and Son, 1929. This work comes from the International Labor Office, Geneva. The Scandinavian O])hthalniological t'ongress, having discussed the need for uniform tests for color vision, submitted a resolution for international stand.irdiz.ition of such tests. Data with regard to the testing of color vision in the air, rail, and sea services of thirteen European
Contribution to the embryology of the eye. By .-\. Hagcdoorn. Doctorate thesis in medicine at the University of -Amsterdam. Rei>rinted from the .Archiv fiir .\ugenheilkunde, volume 102. Octavo, 119 p;iges, p.-ijier covers. Price not given. Verlag von J. F. Bergmann, München, 19.30. Hagcdoorn studied the early embryology in amphibians, fish, reptiles, birds, bats, mammals and man. In small human embryos (18 mm.) there are already present a large number of mesodermal cells between the superficial epithelium on one side and
BOOK
NOTICES
the lens and optic cup on the other; the endothelium with the perforated postendothelial tissue here contains many more cells than in tarsius. A little later (22 to 25 mm.) the endothelium is strongly developed, while the porous postendothelial tissue has to a great extent atrophied. Only a membranous pupillary membrane remains. Between the endothelium and epithelium the cornea definita ectodermalis is now very distinct; in fact, more so than in tarsius, but thinner than in birds. Later the stroma cells, independent of the endothelium, grow into this layer to form the cornea definitivia mesodermalis. Soon the vascularized pupillary membrane arises. As the result of his work, Hagedoorn has a new theory of the origin of the eye to replace the old, complicated one of the development of the eye from the three heterogeneous elements (ectoderm, mesoderm, entoderm). He feels that the origin is in homogeneous development from the rudiment of the eye in the medullary plate. In this development, mesoderm and ectoderm play a secondary role. A further evidence of the homogeneous development of the eye is found in cuttlefish, where the eye has its origin from ectoderm. Cuttlefish are not of the same racial form as vertebrates. From this and other work on comparative embryology, Hagedoorn concludes that the development of the eye depends primarily upon a preformed rudimentary eye and not upon certain tissues. The thesis is divided into five parts, with the author's conclusions at the end of both. It is the result of very extensive and painstaking work upon the comparative embryology of the eye, and some of its theories are new and interesting.
/ ' . C.
Cordes.
Ocular adenoidism and trachoma. By Professor A. Angelucci. 166 pages. Published by Vittorio Indelson, Naples. Price 12 lire. This monograph, coming from the pen of an experienced and distinguished ophthalmologist, is both opportune and
1015
important. It appeared on the eve of the meeting of the "International League Against Trachoma", and is the result of observations in a field in which the disease is widespread and destructive. The author had already made many important communications on this subject. The present volume, enlarging, emphasizing, and abundantly documenting his contentions, is his contribution as honorary vice-president of the "International Society for the Prevention of Blindness". The view presented is that true trachoma is not a distinctive entity per se but that it is an advanced stage of follicular conjunctivitis in which the corneal surface becomes involved. It finds its ready development in an adenoid condition which extends to and involves the conjunctival tissue. It is often familial, and frequently has a hereditary, luetic or tuberculous foundation. It is associated with definite changes in the blood chemistry in which the normal balance between calcium and potassium content is lost, and followed by hemolysis of the red corpuscles with leucocytosis and anemia. This etiology of trachoma does not preclude the possibility of a specific bacillus or any as yet unknown filterable virus that is eflfective in fertile soil. But this etiology of necessity radically changes the accepted methods of treatment. In every instance measures are directed to making free the na.sopharyngeal passages. Operative measures are directed to the reduction or removal of Luschka's tonsil and to ethmoidal hypertrophies, as well as to the hyperplasia within the lids. The adequate amount of vitamins, almost always lacking, is secured by giving pure milk, fresh fruit, cod-liver oil. and so on, at regular intervals. Heliotherapy is not neglected and, where possible, children are sent during their vacation periods to the sea and to the mountains as their conditions require. Subconjunctival injections are frequently used. The author's rather long formulæ for local and general treatment are given specific names under which