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L'oeil et les Maladies Professionnelles (Maladies du Travail)
BOOK NOTICES radiation cataract. Reese concludes that this type of cataract, which tends to show a proliferation of the epithelium under the anterior capsule into a metaplastic fibrous layer, should be operated on by the intracapsular method of extraction. The capsule is strong and capable of with standing the necessary traction. On the other hand, extracapsular extraction is contraindicated because of the lens epi thelium which may continue to proliferate to form dense fibrous tissue. Bernard Samuels has given a com plete and beautifully illustrated discussion on ossification of the choroid. He con cludes that there is practically no danger of sympathetic ophthalmia from eyes so ossified. Ossification or bone formation can scarcely occur in sympathetic oph thalmia because of the destruction of uveal tissue. He further stated that there was no special liability of sarcoma develop ing in shrunken, ossified globes. Numer ous other important facts were brought out. A detailed study of the paper is well worth while. Ocular papillomata were discussed by R. E. Windham. The description of the successful treatment with the thermophore was a feature of the paper. Since the introduction of homatropinebenzedrine cycloplegia, its use has rapidly become popular. Lyle S. Powell reported on it further and concludes that it is a valuable method that might be substi tuted for the usual homatropine routine. It appears to be equally efficacious and has the great advantage of being transi tory, so that accommodation is recovered by the following day, even in adults. An unusual subject was that discussed by Moacyr E. Alvaro of Sao Paulo, who described the deleterious effect of snake venom on the eyes, and its use in ophthal mology. At present the latter seems rather in the experimental stage, but possibly the future may prove it of value. James W. White and Harold W. Brown
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pointed out the frequency and importance of vertical anomalies in muscular im balances. A thorough study should be made of these before attempting the cor rection of lateral deviations and in many cases it is advisable to operate on the verti cal muscles before operating on the lat eral. A new method for the transplantation or implantation of the lacrimal sac in chronic dacryocystitis was presented by William H. Stokes. The major advantage was its simplicity of performance; al though involving the nose, very little nasal manipulation was necessary. It was thought that ophthalmologists not special ly familiar with nasal procedures could safely perform this operation. V. Reeves Hurst considered oculoglandular diseases with special reference to tularemia and Parinaud's conjuncti vitis. He reported 23 cases. No difference could be observed between those in which the leptothrix was found and those in which it was not found. Two cases of oculoglandular tularemia were easily dis tinguishable from cases of Parinaud's conjunctivitis by the clinical course and agglutination tests. Lawrence T. Post. L'OEIL E T LES MALADIES PROFESSIONNELLES (MALADIES DU T R A V A I L ) . By Ch. Coutela. 612 pages with 43 illustrations. Paris, Masson et Cie, 1939. This book is encyclopedic in its scope. It covers the field in painstaking detail, every conceivable toxic agent being given ample consideration. After the presenta tion of a general historical background and a definition of .occupational diseases, the subject matter is divided into five main sections. The first deals with vapors, gases, and powders. The second considers radiant energy: heat, light, radium ema nations, and X rays. In the third part are
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CORRESPONDENCE
considered the various intoxications, such as by lead, hydrocarbons, and alcohol. T h e fourth part takes up infectious and parasitic agents. T h e roles played by fa tigue and changes in the atmospheric condition are considered in the fifth part. Each section has its own particular his torical introduction and a bibliography. Finally there is a chapter on medico-legal aspects of occupational diseases. This volume will be of assistance to all ophthalmologists who can read French, whether their practices are industrial or not. I n this connection it may be said that one need not know much French to make use of the material in this book. T h e de scriptions are so logical and well outlined that even a beginner could follow most of them quite satisfactorily. T h e only criti cism that one might make is the paucity of illustrations. However, completely il lustrating this work would fill at least another volume and make the cost pro hibitive. Frederick A. Wies.
CORRESPONDENCE EUROPEAN CLINICS
Dr. Alston Callahan sends us the fol lowing description of a recent pilgrim age to various European eye clinics: July 29, 1939. In London the surgical technique of Ida Mann was noteworthy for its speed with no sacrifice of meticulousness; for example, she does an Elliot trephining in about five minutes. Miss Mann has a clinic for contact-glass fitting, and told me that the English government was buy ing them in large numbers for those sol diers injured in the World War by mustard-gas burns of the cornea. The companies that make them have about 600 models and select the one closest to the proper fitting and modify it as is necessary. As soon as they are success
fully fitted, the government stops their pension. Mr. Neame showed me, among other cases, a three-year-old girl with an enormous chalazion, which had re curred despite proper surgery. After some investigation, it was found that she had a strongly positive Wassermann, and prompt antiluetic treatment, just instituted, was curing the disease. Mr. Neame's surgery was instructive to watch, as was also that of one of the younger men, R. W. Rycroft. Rycroft has done a number of corneal grafts, and uses a large trephine to cut a complete section of the cornea. One of his very interesting cases was that of an infant with bilateral glioma; one eye had already been removed, and he was attempting to stop the neoplasm with diathermy, instead of radon seeds, which he had used previously. In Paris the Society for Development of Relations with Visiting Doctors sets a standard hard to equal. Their friendly help, the daily mimeographed bulletins of operations mailed out to the hotels, leave one very prejudiced in their favor. Prof. Elliot Terrien, at Hotel Dieu, uses Elliot trephines for most of his glaucoma cases; he removes cataracts underneath an un divided conjunctival flap, pushes from below against the lower limbus with the lower shaft of the eye speculum. Dr. Vic tor Lagrange does all cataracts, except those he designates as "white," by intracapsular method, and uses a forceps and a "pusher" of his own. He has his as sistants instill cocaine and adrenalin into the eye every few minutes for an hour before he begins the procedure of extrac tion; and he believes that the collapsing of the cornea and the resting quietly of the vitreous is due to this anesthesia. He admits a slight escharotic action on the corneal epithelium, but states that in his experience this recovers in a few days. In dealing with the skin, as for example after removal of a lacrimal sac, he sutures only subconjunctivally and allows the
1297
pointed out the frequency and importance of vertical anomalies in muscular im balances. A thorough study should be made of these before attempting the cor rection of lateral deviations and in many cases it is advisable to operate on the verti cal muscles before operating on the lat eral. A new method for the transplantation or implantation of the lacrimal sac in chronic dacryocystitis was presented by William H. Stokes. The major advantage was its simplicity of performance; al though involving the nose, very little nasal manipulation was necessary. It was thought that ophthalmologists not special ly familiar with nasal procedures could safely perform this operation. V. Reeves Hurst considered oculoglandular diseases with special reference to tularemia and Parinaud's conjuncti vitis. He reported 23 cases. No difference could be observed between those in which the leptothrix was found and those in which it was not found. Two cases of oculoglandular tularemia were easily dis tinguishable from cases of Parinaud's conjunctivitis by the clinical course and agglutination tests. Lawrence T. Post. L'OEIL E T LES MALADIES PROFESSIONNELLES (MALADIES DU T R A V A I L ) . By Ch. Coutela. 612 pages with 43 illustrations. Paris, Masson et Cie, 1939. This book is encyclopedic in its scope. It covers the field in painstaking detail, every conceivable toxic agent being given ample consideration. After the presenta tion of a general historical background and a definition of .occupational diseases, the subject matter is divided into five main sections. The first deals with vapors, gases, and powders. The second considers radiant energy: heat, light, radium ema nations, and X rays. In the third part are
1298
CORRESPONDENCE
considered the various intoxications, such as by lead, hydrocarbons, and alcohol. T h e fourth part takes up infectious and parasitic agents. T h e roles played by fa tigue and changes in the atmospheric condition are considered in the fifth part. Each section has its own particular his torical introduction and a bibliography. Finally there is a chapter on medico-legal aspects of occupational diseases. This volume will be of assistance to all ophthalmologists who can read French, whether their practices are industrial or not. I n this connection it may be said that one need not know much French to make use of the material in this book. T h e de scriptions are so logical and well outlined that even a beginner could follow most of them quite satisfactorily. T h e only criti cism that one might make is the paucity of illustrations. However, completely il lustrating this work would fill at least another volume and make the cost pro hibitive. Frederick A. Wies.
CORRESPONDENCE EUROPEAN CLINICS
Dr. Alston Callahan sends us the fol lowing description of a recent pilgrim age to various European eye clinics: July 29, 1939. In London the surgical technique of Ida Mann was noteworthy for its speed with no sacrifice of meticulousness; for example, she does an Elliot trephining in about five minutes. Miss Mann has a clinic for contact-glass fitting, and told me that the English government was buy ing them in large numbers for those sol diers injured in the World War by mustard-gas burns of the cornea. The companies that make them have about 600 models and select the one closest to the proper fitting and modify it as is necessary. As soon as they are success
fully fitted, the government stops their pension. Mr. Neame showed me, among other cases, a three-year-old girl with an enormous chalazion, which had re curred despite proper surgery. After some investigation, it was found that she had a strongly positive Wassermann, and prompt antiluetic treatment, just instituted, was curing the disease. Mr. Neame's surgery was instructive to watch, as was also that of one of the younger men, R. W. Rycroft. Rycroft has done a number of corneal grafts, and uses a large trephine to cut a complete section of the cornea. One of his very interesting cases was that of an infant with bilateral glioma; one eye had already been removed, and he was attempting to stop the neoplasm with diathermy, instead of radon seeds, which he had used previously. In Paris the Society for Development of Relations with Visiting Doctors sets a standard hard to equal. Their friendly help, the daily mimeographed bulletins of operations mailed out to the hotels, leave one very prejudiced in their favor. Prof. Elliot Terrien, at Hotel Dieu, uses Elliot trephines for most of his glaucoma cases; he removes cataracts underneath an un divided conjunctival flap, pushes from below against the lower limbus with the lower shaft of the eye speculum. Dr. Vic tor Lagrange does all cataracts, except those he designates as "white," by intracapsular method, and uses a forceps and a "pusher" of his own. He has his as sistants instill cocaine and adrenalin into the eye every few minutes for an hour before he begins the procedure of extrac tion; and he believes that the collapsing of the cornea and the resting quietly of the vitreous is due to this anesthesia. He admits a slight escharotic action on the corneal epithelium, but states that in his experience this recovers in a few days. In dealing with the skin, as for example after removal of a lacrimal sac, he sutures only subconjunctivally and allows the