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Nursing in Diseases of the Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat As Practiced At the Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital
1254
BOOK NOTICES
from hypertension in not more than sixty percent of the cases, and must therefore often be performed repeatedly on the same eye. Nevertheless, the remarkable freedom of this operation from the dan ger of late infection speaks strongly in favor of its use. There is rather general agreement that it is particularly effective in glaucoma following cataract extrac tion, and Sugar calls cyclodialysis the only logical operation for this complication. Opinions differ as to the best technique for the performance of cyclodialysis. Some writers favor relatively limited, some a much more extensive, separation of the ciliary body. Sugar decreases the extent of sweep of the cyclodialysis spatula "by about one half," to prevent excessive trauma and hemorrhage. He also avoids the horizon tal meridian of the eyeball, to escape the danger of severance of the long posterior ciliary vessels, or painful pull on the nerves which are also found in that loca tion. Bangerter and Goldmann make the scierai incision according to Blaskovics's modification, in which the incision begins about eight millimeters from the limbus and runs radially instead of parallel to the limbus, and the spatula is made to en ter the suprachoroidal space parallel to the limbal tangent and is next carried into the anterior chamber. Sugar's suggestion that the cyclodialysis be undertaken above is rejected by Bangerter and Goldmann on the ground that the chamber angle is normally narrowest in that loca tion ; and these authors favor perform ing the cyclodialysis laterally (in the very location which Sugar avoids!) because the angle is broadest there. It is obvious that this advice will not apply to cylodialysis performed as a second operation after basal iridectomy. One notes a distinctly geographic varia tion in the respective vogues of modern
glaucoma operations. In areas more par ticularly under the influence of French surgical teaching the early Lagrange op eration is still quite popular. In some English-speaking areas Elliot's trephine operation prevails, while others have more definitely accepted the Scandinavian advocacy of iridencleisis or iridotasis. Cyclodialysis, proposed by Heine in 1908, has been extensively used in Germanspeaking countries, and in countries tributary to German educational institu tions. Our own United States present, quite naturally, a composite picture of these various influences. It is probable that the results from any one type of operation vary not merely according to the difficulties presented by each case, but also with differences in the technique of the particular operation as taught by individual leaders in ophthalmic surgery. For example, important varia tions are encountered in the finer details of performance of the iridencleisis opera tion. We are incidentally led to suspect that, even among those most expert in its technique, gonioscopy cannot establish complete agreement as to comparative in dications and technique in glaucoma op erations. W. H. Crisp.
BOOK NOTICES NURSING IN DISEASES O F T H E EYE, EAR, NOSE, AND THROAT AS PRACTICED AT T H E MAN HATTAN EYE, EAR, AND THROAT HOSPITAL. Seventh edi tion. By David H. Webster, M.D., John R. Page, M.D., Francis W. White, M.D., Robert E. Buckley, M.D., Daniel S. Cunning, M.D., Alfred G. Langmann, M.D., Andrew A. Eggston, M.D., and Hazel Emmett, R.N. Clothbound, 313 pages, 94 illustrations.
1255
OBITUARY
Philadelphia, W. B. Saunders Com pany, 1942. Price $2.50. The seventh edition of this well-known book attempts to cover fundamental, spe cial information, and nurse's procedures peculiar to these fields. It is divided into five major divisions; eye, ear, nose, and throat, and a portion that includes chap ters on subjects in a related field. Anato my and physiology, including diagrams and text, are clear and well defined and are valuable as introductions to the in cluded fields of study but, because it at tempts to cover too much ground, no particular part of its material can be ade quate. The nurse should find this book helpful as a review. Due to the omission of many phases of actual nursing care of the patient, it will prove inadequate as a reference text. The subject matter is repetitious probably because of the col laboration of so many authors. The ex plicit directions of the nurse's care of the patient seem to be omitted or at least poorly outlined. As a simple text of eye, ear, nose, and throat conditions for nurse's reference it is satisfactory. Monica Montgomery, R.N.
BINOCULAR IMBALANCE. By Mar garet Dobson, M.D. Clothbound, 91 pp., illustrated, indexed. London, H. K. Lewis and Co., Ltd., 1942. In her preface Miss Dobson limits her field to the establishment of correct re lationship between the relative amplitudes of convergence and accommodation. The author begins with an exposition of the value of single binocular vision, a descrip tion of tests for measuring it, and lists the causes to be checked when the findings show binocular imbalance. Taking each cause in turn Miss Dobson discusses the ocular muscles, with special reference to convergence and "ductions," the influence of refraction errors, and the
heterophorias. Each topic includes defini tions, measurement techniques, and brief suggestions for correction by orthoptic exercises. All the material is very much con densed. The volume makes a convenient summary of an often-neglected field of ocular discomfort. The test and measure ments recommended are very largely sub jective in their techniques. No sugges tions are made for helping children or "difficult" adult patients to analyze their observations or to perform the exercises correctly. The nomenclature differs from the most acceptable standards in this country ; notably in the use of the terms "ductions" and "suspension of vision." However, definitions are carefully given and there is no excuse for misunderstand ing the author's meaning. Orthoptic exercises are given in brief est outline, and some of the apparatus is unfamiliar in this country. The exercises suggested are not well adapted for use with children. There are no case histories, and no mention of how long it would take to correct the various types of imbalance according to the author's techniques. The chief value of the manual lies in its emphasis on the importance of the de tection of muscle imbalances that are due to innervational causes, and their correctability by proper refraction and orthoptic exercises. The function of the various techniques is clearly outlined, but skill in their application is assumed rather than taught in this compact volume. Julia E. Lancaster, M.A.
OBITUARY DR. WILLIAM H E R B E R T LOWRY 1880-1942 William Herbert Lowry, M.D.C.M., M.R.C.S., F.R.C.S. (C), the son of Wil liam Hugh and Ann Jane Hill Lowry, was born in Acton, Ontario, on Septem-
BOOK NOTICES
from hypertension in not more than sixty percent of the cases, and must therefore often be performed repeatedly on the same eye. Nevertheless, the remarkable freedom of this operation from the dan ger of late infection speaks strongly in favor of its use. There is rather general agreement that it is particularly effective in glaucoma following cataract extrac tion, and Sugar calls cyclodialysis the only logical operation for this complication. Opinions differ as to the best technique for the performance of cyclodialysis. Some writers favor relatively limited, some a much more extensive, separation of the ciliary body. Sugar decreases the extent of sweep of the cyclodialysis spatula "by about one half," to prevent excessive trauma and hemorrhage. He also avoids the horizon tal meridian of the eyeball, to escape the danger of severance of the long posterior ciliary vessels, or painful pull on the nerves which are also found in that loca tion. Bangerter and Goldmann make the scierai incision according to Blaskovics's modification, in which the incision begins about eight millimeters from the limbus and runs radially instead of parallel to the limbus, and the spatula is made to en ter the suprachoroidal space parallel to the limbal tangent and is next carried into the anterior chamber. Sugar's suggestion that the cyclodialysis be undertaken above is rejected by Bangerter and Goldmann on the ground that the chamber angle is normally narrowest in that loca tion ; and these authors favor perform ing the cyclodialysis laterally (in the very location which Sugar avoids!) because the angle is broadest there. It is obvious that this advice will not apply to cylodialysis performed as a second operation after basal iridectomy. One notes a distinctly geographic varia tion in the respective vogues of modern
glaucoma operations. In areas more par ticularly under the influence of French surgical teaching the early Lagrange op eration is still quite popular. In some English-speaking areas Elliot's trephine operation prevails, while others have more definitely accepted the Scandinavian advocacy of iridencleisis or iridotasis. Cyclodialysis, proposed by Heine in 1908, has been extensively used in Germanspeaking countries, and in countries tributary to German educational institu tions. Our own United States present, quite naturally, a composite picture of these various influences. It is probable that the results from any one type of operation vary not merely according to the difficulties presented by each case, but also with differences in the technique of the particular operation as taught by individual leaders in ophthalmic surgery. For example, important varia tions are encountered in the finer details of performance of the iridencleisis opera tion. We are incidentally led to suspect that, even among those most expert in its technique, gonioscopy cannot establish complete agreement as to comparative in dications and technique in glaucoma op erations. W. H. Crisp.
BOOK NOTICES NURSING IN DISEASES O F T H E EYE, EAR, NOSE, AND THROAT AS PRACTICED AT T H E MAN HATTAN EYE, EAR, AND THROAT HOSPITAL. Seventh edi tion. By David H. Webster, M.D., John R. Page, M.D., Francis W. White, M.D., Robert E. Buckley, M.D., Daniel S. Cunning, M.D., Alfred G. Langmann, M.D., Andrew A. Eggston, M.D., and Hazel Emmett, R.N. Clothbound, 313 pages, 94 illustrations.
1255
OBITUARY
Philadelphia, W. B. Saunders Com pany, 1942. Price $2.50. The seventh edition of this well-known book attempts to cover fundamental, spe cial information, and nurse's procedures peculiar to these fields. It is divided into five major divisions; eye, ear, nose, and throat, and a portion that includes chap ters on subjects in a related field. Anato my and physiology, including diagrams and text, are clear and well defined and are valuable as introductions to the in cluded fields of study but, because it at tempts to cover too much ground, no particular part of its material can be ade quate. The nurse should find this book helpful as a review. Due to the omission of many phases of actual nursing care of the patient, it will prove inadequate as a reference text. The subject matter is repetitious probably because of the col laboration of so many authors. The ex plicit directions of the nurse's care of the patient seem to be omitted or at least poorly outlined. As a simple text of eye, ear, nose, and throat conditions for nurse's reference it is satisfactory. Monica Montgomery, R.N.
BINOCULAR IMBALANCE. By Mar garet Dobson, M.D. Clothbound, 91 pp., illustrated, indexed. London, H. K. Lewis and Co., Ltd., 1942. In her preface Miss Dobson limits her field to the establishment of correct re lationship between the relative amplitudes of convergence and accommodation. The author begins with an exposition of the value of single binocular vision, a descrip tion of tests for measuring it, and lists the causes to be checked when the findings show binocular imbalance. Taking each cause in turn Miss Dobson discusses the ocular muscles, with special reference to convergence and "ductions," the influence of refraction errors, and the
heterophorias. Each topic includes defini tions, measurement techniques, and brief suggestions for correction by orthoptic exercises. All the material is very much con densed. The volume makes a convenient summary of an often-neglected field of ocular discomfort. The test and measure ments recommended are very largely sub jective in their techniques. No sugges tions are made for helping children or "difficult" adult patients to analyze their observations or to perform the exercises correctly. The nomenclature differs from the most acceptable standards in this country ; notably in the use of the terms "ductions" and "suspension of vision." However, definitions are carefully given and there is no excuse for misunderstand ing the author's meaning. Orthoptic exercises are given in brief est outline, and some of the apparatus is unfamiliar in this country. The exercises suggested are not well adapted for use with children. There are no case histories, and no mention of how long it would take to correct the various types of imbalance according to the author's techniques. The chief value of the manual lies in its emphasis on the importance of the de tection of muscle imbalances that are due to innervational causes, and their correctability by proper refraction and orthoptic exercises. The function of the various techniques is clearly outlined, but skill in their application is assumed rather than taught in this compact volume. Julia E. Lancaster, M.A.
OBITUARY DR. WILLIAM H E R B E R T LOWRY 1880-1942 William Herbert Lowry, M.D.C.M., M.R.C.S., F.R.C.S. (C), the son of Wil liam Hugh and Ann Jane Hill Lowry, was born in Acton, Ontario, on Septem-