370 SECTIONAL TRANSACTIONS. — I. 



The authors have investigated methods of estimating sugar in blood, and 

 consider that of Maclean to be convenient and accurate. They have improved 

 its technique somewhat. As regards the nature of the cupric-reducing sub- 

 stance present in normal blood, they show^ that it is neither creatinine nor 

 uric acid ; that it is insoluble in ether ; that its reducing power is destroyed 

 by boiling with ammonia : that it is completely dialysable, and when dialysed 

 against aqueous glucose solutions, equilibrium is adjusted as it should be with 

 glucose; it forms a crystalline osazone morphologically similar to glucosazone. 

 The authors' conclude, therefore, that the reducing substance is glucose. 



13. Dr. F. W. Edridge Green. — The Prevention of Myopia. 



The direct exciting cause of myopia appears to be increase of intra-ocular 

 tension through back pressure on the eye, therefore lengthening its antero- 

 posterior diameter. There is no satisfactory evidence that the use of the eyes 

 for near work either increases or causes myopia. 



In the prevention of myopia any cause which will increase the intra-ocular 

 tension by obstructing the outflow should be avoided. All exercises in children 

 which involve strain with the eyes pointing downwards should be avoided. 

 A typical example of this is the exercise in which a child moves itself up 

 and down from the floor with the eyes pointing downwards. 



Physical training is of great importance, and it will be noticed that the 

 ordinary forms of exercise — cricket, football, golf, &c. — do not cause myopia, 

 whereas lifting heavy weights, dumbbells, wrestling, boxing, or riding a bicycle 

 uphill in a stooping position, do. It is particularly in those who have sedentary 

 occupations, and who are not in a fit physical condition, and have an hereditary 

 tendency to myopia, that these forms of exercise should be avoided. Exercises 

 which after inquiry are found to cause a feeling of pain or tension in the 

 eyes or distension of the veins of the neck should be strictly forbidden to 

 myopes. Reading in a recumbent or stooping position with the eyes pointing 

 downwards is not advisable. 



Afternoon. 



14. Visit to Cardiff City Mental Hospital at Whitchurch. 



Dr. R. V. Stanford demonstrated various Biochemical 

 Methods. 



Friday, August 27. 



15. Prof. A. D. Waller, F.R.S.— T/ie Energy of the Human 



Machine as Measured by the Output of Carton Dioxide. 



16. Demonstration by Prof. J. B. Haycraft. — A New 



Electrokymograph . 



1 7. Joint Discussion with Section K on Biochemistry a.nd 

 Systematic Relationship. (See p. 374.) 



SUBSECTION I.— PSYCHOLOGY. 



(For references to the publication elsewhere of communications entered in 

 the following list of transactions, see p. 382.) 



Tuesday, August 24. 



Joint Meeting with Section I. (See p. 369.) 



Wednesday, August 25. 



1. Miss L. C. FiLDES. — Word-hlindvess in the Mentally 

 Defective. 



