Ophthalmology

THIS new textbook, which is based on the current teaching and practice of Moorfields Eye Hospital and its academic offspring, the Institute of Ophthalmology in London, will be welcomed by all those whose interest is in acquiring a thorough basic knowledge of the subject. The field to be covered is extensive and the result is that discursive forays and elegant elaborations have been eschewed. The first quarter of the book, dealing with anatomy and physiology, sets out in sufficient detail and with adequate illustration, these essential preliminaries to a good grasp of ophthalmology. A section on optics follows, in which the refraction of the eye is discussed and the est mation and correction of refractive errors described. This goes into sufficient detail to render the subject intelligible without elaborate mathematics. The clinician will find the latter half of the volume of great interest. This comprises two sectionsDiseases of the Outer Eye and Diseases of the Inner Eye. It is here that the pleasing format and layout of the volume is particularly enhanced by the excellence of the illustrations, of which there are over four hundred and fifty in the book. The large majority are original drawings or photographs, of which nearly all have been prepared by the Department of Illustration at the Institute of Ophthalmology. Both photographs and drawings are of the first-rate quality we are accustomed to expect from the Institute. The text of these two sections includes descriptions of all the commonly occurring eye diseases, including many which have been recently elucidated. Among these are retrolental fibroplasia, toxoplasmosis, sarcoidosis and the retinopathies. Under the latter heading the latest views on diabet.c retinopathy and its relation to Kimmelstiel and Wilson's disease are described. There is a valuable chapter on the treatment of external diseases which expresses in concise form the present views on therapeutics. The author recommends the anti-fungal drug sodium propionate (10 per cent. drops or ointment) as the best general anti-infective agent apart from the antibiotics. This boolk is recommended as an adequate fulfilment of what it claims to be-a textbook for the student preparing for the Diploma in Ophthalmology. Refinements must be sought in larger compilations, but there must be few medical men, whether in general or ophthalmic practice, who would not find interest or information of value in the pages of this newv and up-to-date textbook.