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Handbook of Ocular Therapeutics and Pharmacology.
BOOK REVIEWS It will be recalled that Benjamin Boyd of Panama, started ophthalmic tape recordings a few years back, called Highlights of Oph thalmology. This was a gallant effort and Dr. Boyd deserves great credit for being a pi oneer in this field. It is indeed a difficult chore for a one-man show but Boyd's tapes are good and important. It is also, perhaps, not out of order to draw attention to the new British Tape-Re ports, as they are called. These are designed by the editors, P. D. Trevor-Roper, D. Pierse, T. A. Casey, L. Fison, M. J. RoperHall and E. C. Zorab, to bring to their sub scribers tape recordings of four of the most important international meetings each year. They are to be operated at 3J4 1-P-s. and are on three-inch spools. Subscriptions costing six guineas are to be obtained from the Sec retary, L. D. C. Pain, British Ophthalmic Tape-Reports, 39 Wigmore Street, London W.l, England. Derrick Vail.
HANDBOOK OF OCULAR THERAPEUTICS AND PHARMACOLOGY. By Philip P. Ellis and Donn L. Smith. St. Louis, C. V. Mosby, 1963. 173 pages, index. Price: $8.50. Drs. Ellis and Smith have compiled a handbook for busy practicing ophthalmolo gists, for beginning residents in ophthal mology and for nonspecialists who may be treating ocular disorders. This is not a text book of therapeutics and pharmacology in relation to the eye, nor does it serve as a re view of all types of treatment and ocular medications. The authors have attempted to decide the most significant practical and ef fective forms of current therapy and have presented them. The handbook is written in a fashion which assumes that the reader has a basic knowledge of therapeutics and phar macology and is acquainted in a general sense with the use of common medications. There is a bit of repetition throughout the book so that one need not turn pages or read
671
the entire text in answer to a specific ques tion. The book is divided into two sections. The first deals with therapeutics and summarizes the authors' concepts of the present medical therapy of many ocular disorders. The sec ond section concerns the pharmacology of agents. The drugs which these authors feel are the most commonly used are listed alpha betically and include information on the sidereactions, contraindications, preparation and dosages. The authors have compiled a great deal of information into a small handbook. There are very few references in the text. Those who like to read quickly without bothersome footnotes and references will find this satis factory; others will be able to use this book as a departure point to find further informa tion on particular therapies which may be controversial. The authors have simply stated their own opinions and, if the reader would like to find other views, he will have to do his own library research. There are certain minor omissions, such as the possi bility of steroids raising intraocular pressure which has received a great deal of attention this year but has been in the literature since 1960 (François; Goldmann). There is a somewhat detailed discussion of the prepara tion of ophthalmic solutions, the use of ster oids and of antibiotics. Therapies for specific diseases are briefly stated under headings which are easy to find and to follow. Many of the authors' decisions on the use of drugs are apparently based on their own experi ence. The reader is not informed whether this is based on a large number of wellcontrolled cases or is an impression from ex periences with a few eyes so treated. There is no doubt that these authors have provided considerable information of value to the practicing ophthalmologist, to the be ginning resident and to the nonspecialist. Fu ture editions of this text, and I would antici pate that there will be many, might benefit from the use of references, particularly ref erences to well-controlled studies and not
672
BOOK REVIEWS
just clinical impressions and, where such are not available, it is well for the reader to be so informed. The authors and the publishers are to be complimented for a small, well-prepared, easy-to-read text with only a few tables and no illustrations. Irving H. Leopold. By Alfred Kestenbaum. New York, Grune & Stratton, 1963. 292 pages, illustrations. Price: $12.50. This is a marvelous book—clear, lucid, well organized, detailed and a joy to read. Granted, there is a more detailed presenta tion of the material in one of the larger anatomy books but, for general use by most ophthalmologists, this book is indispensable. It is written from a clinician's view point and emphasizes the practical aspects of anatomy. Most of the illustrations are diagrammatic, which makes them readily understood. After Dr. Kestenbaum's death in 1961, Dr. Arthur Linksz did the final editing of his manuscript. The result is a volume which should stand for many years as a living memorial to its author. Thomas H. F. Chalkley. APPLIED ANATOMY OF THE EYE.
PUPILLOTONIA AND THE A D I E
SYNDROME
(Pupillotonie und Adie-Syndrom). By W. Kyrieleis, M.D. Leipzig, VEB Georg Thieme, 1963, Paperbound, second revised edition, 72 pages, 3 figures, bibliography. Price: DM 9.70. The present edition of this monograph has a fine memorial portrait of Prof. Kyrie leis, who died before its publication. The de tailed discussion of the Adie syndrome, so well presented in the first edition of 1951, has been brought up to date as indicated by the additions to the three-page bibliography of 24 new references from American, Brit ish, French, German, Italian and Japanese sources. The instillation of cocaine or of
pilocarpine acts faster and more effectively on the Adie pupil than on normal pupils. Moreover, as Adler and Scheie demon strated, the instillation of 2.5-percent Mecholyl has no effect on the normal pupil but produces a definite or marked effect on the Adie pupil. The effect is not absolutely spe cific, as this concentration will also cause some narrowing of the pupil in complete oculomotor paralysis. Pilocarpine, 0.03 per cent, which does not affect the normal pupil, may likewise constrict the tonic pupil. On the other hand, the Adie pupil responds much less to homatropine than do normal pupils. The author found that the systemic administration of strychnine nitrate causes the Adie pupil to become smaller and gen erally speeds its light reaction. Usually the patients with tonic pupil or pupils have no ocular symptoms. Where difficulty ensues in changing the focus for far to near, the instillation of Mecholyl, 2.5 percent, is rec ommended. James E. Lebensohn. TRANSACTIONS OF THE OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOCIETIES OF THE UNITED KINGDOM. Vol
ume LXXXII, Session 1962. London, J. and A. Churchill, Ltd. 818 pages and in dex. Separate 10-year (1951-60) general index. Price: not listed. This volume contains the usual excellent articles on cataract, glaucoma, steroids, extraocular muscles and so forth that make up 90 percent of the ophthalmologic literature. However, there are several very unusual contributions from the smaller affiliated so cieties in the British Isles that mark this volume as something special. Particularly entrancing is the paper by J. Burdon-Cooper, "Looking back after 58 years in ophthal mology." The enthusiasm and love that this man has brought to his daily work shines through the entire article and his charming, typically British prose brings back memories of Anthony Hope and Arthur Conan Doyle. In similar vein is the address of the presi dent of the Irish Ophthalmological Society,
HANDBOOK OF OCULAR THERAPEUTICS AND PHARMACOLOGY. By Philip P. Ellis and Donn L. Smith. St. Louis, C. V. Mosby, 1963. 173 pages, index. Price: $8.50. Drs. Ellis and Smith have compiled a handbook for busy practicing ophthalmolo gists, for beginning residents in ophthal mology and for nonspecialists who may be treating ocular disorders. This is not a text book of therapeutics and pharmacology in relation to the eye, nor does it serve as a re view of all types of treatment and ocular medications. The authors have attempted to decide the most significant practical and ef fective forms of current therapy and have presented them. The handbook is written in a fashion which assumes that the reader has a basic knowledge of therapeutics and phar macology and is acquainted in a general sense with the use of common medications. There is a bit of repetition throughout the book so that one need not turn pages or read
671
the entire text in answer to a specific ques tion. The book is divided into two sections. The first deals with therapeutics and summarizes the authors' concepts of the present medical therapy of many ocular disorders. The sec ond section concerns the pharmacology of agents. The drugs which these authors feel are the most commonly used are listed alpha betically and include information on the sidereactions, contraindications, preparation and dosages. The authors have compiled a great deal of information into a small handbook. There are very few references in the text. Those who like to read quickly without bothersome footnotes and references will find this satis factory; others will be able to use this book as a departure point to find further informa tion on particular therapies which may be controversial. The authors have simply stated their own opinions and, if the reader would like to find other views, he will have to do his own library research. There are certain minor omissions, such as the possi bility of steroids raising intraocular pressure which has received a great deal of attention this year but has been in the literature since 1960 (François; Goldmann). There is a somewhat detailed discussion of the prepara tion of ophthalmic solutions, the use of ster oids and of antibiotics. Therapies for specific diseases are briefly stated under headings which are easy to find and to follow. Many of the authors' decisions on the use of drugs are apparently based on their own experi ence. The reader is not informed whether this is based on a large number of wellcontrolled cases or is an impression from ex periences with a few eyes so treated. There is no doubt that these authors have provided considerable information of value to the practicing ophthalmologist, to the be ginning resident and to the nonspecialist. Fu ture editions of this text, and I would antici pate that there will be many, might benefit from the use of references, particularly ref erences to well-controlled studies and not
672
BOOK REVIEWS
just clinical impressions and, where such are not available, it is well for the reader to be so informed. The authors and the publishers are to be complimented for a small, well-prepared, easy-to-read text with only a few tables and no illustrations. Irving H. Leopold. By Alfred Kestenbaum. New York, Grune & Stratton, 1963. 292 pages, illustrations. Price: $12.50. This is a marvelous book—clear, lucid, well organized, detailed and a joy to read. Granted, there is a more detailed presenta tion of the material in one of the larger anatomy books but, for general use by most ophthalmologists, this book is indispensable. It is written from a clinician's view point and emphasizes the practical aspects of anatomy. Most of the illustrations are diagrammatic, which makes them readily understood. After Dr. Kestenbaum's death in 1961, Dr. Arthur Linksz did the final editing of his manuscript. The result is a volume which should stand for many years as a living memorial to its author. Thomas H. F. Chalkley. APPLIED ANATOMY OF THE EYE.
PUPILLOTONIA AND THE A D I E
SYNDROME
(Pupillotonie und Adie-Syndrom). By W. Kyrieleis, M.D. Leipzig, VEB Georg Thieme, 1963, Paperbound, second revised edition, 72 pages, 3 figures, bibliography. Price: DM 9.70. The present edition of this monograph has a fine memorial portrait of Prof. Kyrie leis, who died before its publication. The de tailed discussion of the Adie syndrome, so well presented in the first edition of 1951, has been brought up to date as indicated by the additions to the three-page bibliography of 24 new references from American, Brit ish, French, German, Italian and Japanese sources. The instillation of cocaine or of
pilocarpine acts faster and more effectively on the Adie pupil than on normal pupils. Moreover, as Adler and Scheie demon strated, the instillation of 2.5-percent Mecholyl has no effect on the normal pupil but produces a definite or marked effect on the Adie pupil. The effect is not absolutely spe cific, as this concentration will also cause some narrowing of the pupil in complete oculomotor paralysis. Pilocarpine, 0.03 per cent, which does not affect the normal pupil, may likewise constrict the tonic pupil. On the other hand, the Adie pupil responds much less to homatropine than do normal pupils. The author found that the systemic administration of strychnine nitrate causes the Adie pupil to become smaller and gen erally speeds its light reaction. Usually the patients with tonic pupil or pupils have no ocular symptoms. Where difficulty ensues in changing the focus for far to near, the instillation of Mecholyl, 2.5 percent, is rec ommended. James E. Lebensohn. TRANSACTIONS OF THE OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOCIETIES OF THE UNITED KINGDOM. Vol
ume LXXXII, Session 1962. London, J. and A. Churchill, Ltd. 818 pages and in dex. Separate 10-year (1951-60) general index. Price: not listed. This volume contains the usual excellent articles on cataract, glaucoma, steroids, extraocular muscles and so forth that make up 90 percent of the ophthalmologic literature. However, there are several very unusual contributions from the smaller affiliated so cieties in the British Isles that mark this volume as something special. Particularly entrancing is the paper by J. Burdon-Cooper, "Looking back after 58 years in ophthal mology." The enthusiasm and love that this man has brought to his daily work shines through the entire article and his charming, typically British prose brings back memories of Anthony Hope and Arthur Conan Doyle. In similar vein is the address of the presi dent of the Irish Ophthalmological Society,