REVIEWS. 577 



the reviewer is impressed with the author's faith in the value of "para- 

 specific thereapy," "guaiacol," "subconjunctival injections," and the ease 

 of obtaining accurate laboratory confirmation in the diagnosis of eye 

 affections. A too general use of many remedies as specifics, when un- 

 supported by reliable statistical data, has in the past resulted in losing 

 sight of their true value. It has taken years for "tuberculin" to recover 

 from such a doubt. Further, it is difficult to believe that one or two 

 attempts are sufficient to make laboratory diagnoses easy of accomplish- 

 ment. An accurate Wasserman's reaction is never a simple matter. The 

 use of such an expression as "arthritism," meaning absolutely nothing, is 

 objectionable. 



The second part of the book, under the heading of special thera- 

 peutics, gives in detail pathologic conditions of the eye and its adnexa. 

 The affections are grouped into separate chapters, beginning with diseases 

 of the orbit, following through the various anatomical structures to the 

 retina. There is little new in pathology, diagnosis or treatment, but 

 special stress is laid on the great value of injections of mercury, intra- 

 venous or subconjunctival, paraspecific therapy, organic silver salts, and 

 dionin. 



The different nationalities engaged in presenting this book are in keep- 

 ing with the international character of the system. The brief footnotes 

 of the editor make the reader regret that he has not made more liberal 

 use of his control. Such notes, stating that "correcting lenses in 

 blepharitis marginalis is a sine cpio non," and "the stimulation of compen- 

 sator}- accommodative power by any means is likely to be followed by 

 all the baneful local and reflex symptoms of ametropic eyestrain," are 

 excellent. Similar footnotes, condemning strongly such drugs as "atoxyl" 

 and such a reaction as that of "Calmette," should have been made. Had 

 chapters 7, 8, 9, and 10 been condensed into one, much that is of little 

 value would have been eliminated. . 



As a reference book, "An International System of Ophthalmic Practice" 

 can hardly be recommended, because of its looseness in grouping, and 

 absence of a bibliography, but it shows advanced thought and gives an 

 insight into the future lines of progress in ophthalmic practice. 



T. C. Ltster. 



