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JUDlClA DE NOVIS LlBRlS Sachsenweger, Rudolf: Kompendium und Atlas der Augenheilkunde fur Medizinstu- denten und Krzte. VEB Georg Thieme, Leipzig 1976. 170 pages, 262 figures, Price 14.80 DM. This small East German text-book of ophthalmology contains an abundance of good illustrations (720 separate representations, of which 65 are in colour). The text is exact and concise, but here and there rather too concentrated. Pictures and types are extra- ordinarily small, presumably to render the book saleable at a low price. The size, choice of subjects, and presentation of the book corresponds approximately to the Scandinavian procedure. However, I do not quite agree with the author on certain points (classification and definitions of glaucoma, therapeutic suggestions, etc.). The book may be of use to medical students and general practitioners. M. S. Norn H.- J. Mertk: Augenarztliche Fortbildung. Jahreskurse fur die praktische Augenheil- kunde. Bd. 4, Teil 1. Urban & Schwarzenberg, Munchen 1976. pp. 134. DM 40,-. This small volume is intended as part of a concise advice series. It comprises seven chapters. The first chapter is a presentation of the various aspects of conjunctivitis lignosa, including clinical findings, electronmicroscopy and therapy. The next two chapters are presentations of the diseases of the orbit, lids and lacrimal system. The three following chapters concern ocular motility - differential diagnosis of congenital abducens paresis, surgical treatment of the retraction syndrome and ocular torticollis (Kopfschiefhaltung). The final chapter concerns neuroophtbalmological aspects of cerebral circulatory disturbances. The differently treated topics appear as articles with references to the literature. The value is to be seen in the entire series, which represent a concrete offer to the practising ophthalmologist. Niels Ehlers 385

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Page 1: Judicia De Novis Li Bris

J U D l C l A D E N O V I S L l B R l S

Sachsenweger, Rudolf: Kompendium und Atlas der Augenheilkunde fur Medizinstu- denten und Krzte. VEB Georg Thieme, Leipzig 1976. 170 pages, 262 figures, Price 14.80 DM.

This small East German text-book of ophthalmology contains an abundance of good illustrations (720 separate representations, of which 65 are in colour). The text is exact and concise, but here and there rather too concentrated. Pictures and types are extra- ordinarily small, presumably to render the book saleable at a low price.

The size, choice of subjects, and presentation of the book corresponds approximately to the Scandinavian procedure. However, I do not quite agree with the author on certain points (classification and definitions of glaucoma, therapeutic suggestions, etc.).

The book may be of use to medical students and general practitioners.

M . S. Norn

H.- J . Mertk: Augenarztliche Fortbildung. Jahreskurse fur die praktische Augenheil- kunde. Bd. 4, Teil 1. Urban & Schwarzenberg, Munchen 1976. pp. 134. DM 40,-.

This small volume is intended as part of a concise advice series. I t comprises seven chapters. The first chapter is a presentation of the various aspects of conjunctivitis lignosa, including clinical findings, electronmicroscopy and therapy. The next two chapters are presentations of the diseases of the orbit, lids and lacrimal system.

The three following chapters concern ocular motility - differential diagnosis of congenital abducens paresis, surgical treatment of the retraction syndrome and ocular torticollis (Kopfschiefhaltung). The final chapter concerns neuroophtbalmological aspects of cerebral circulatory disturbances.

The differently treated topics appear as articles with references to the literature. The value is to be seen in the entire series, which represent a concrete offer to the practising ophthalmologist.

Niels Ehlers

385

Page 2: Judicia De Novis Li Bris

Judicia de Novis Libris

Sauter, Jules Jucqiies Marie: Xerophthalmia and measlcs in Kenya. Drukkerij van Denderen B. V. Groningen 1976. Pages 235. Price $ 10,- or Dfl. 25,-.

In this Dutch thesis thc author shows the main cause of blindness in Kenya is lack of vitamin A and not measles keratoconjunctivitis or other causes as previously believed. Measles has only a catalysing eflect on the developement of xerophthalmia.

The author gives a detailed description of the many children he has investigated thoughout Kenya, and compares this with his investigations in Java, Indonesia and the Nederlands.

The conditions prevailing in Kenya are described by the author - poverty, drought, starvation and death among children emigration of the fathers, concealment of blind children by their mothers. All this is shocking to read about. These are some of the many unsolved problems of an undeveloped country.

The author concludes that vital staining with rose bengal or lissamingreen is the best method for the early diagnosis of xerophthalmia, and is especially useful in Health Centres and field surveys.

The staining is localized to the exposed triangular conjunctival region temporal and/or nasal to the cornea (grade I), around Bitot’s spots (if any), and later around the lower limbus of cornea (grade 11), around the upper limbus of cornea (grade 111), and finally to the whole bulbar and tarsal conjunctiva and the cornea (grade IV).

The vital staining is a safe and specific method for early detection of conjunctivai xerophthalmia. At the same time it is cheap and casy to perform.

The author prefer lissamingreen, because it stains more intensely than rose bengal (the diagnosis can be extablished at a distance of 1-2 meters) and sometimes it also stains Bitot’s spot. Nevertheless, the extent of staining is the same as with rose bengal.

In xerophthalmia the mucus production is diminished, and the goblet cells disappear. The BUT (=wetting time of cornea) is diminished. These factors are normalized one week after administration of 200 000 to 300 000 I. U. vitamin A palmitate in oil, dosage according to the age of the patient. It is sufficient to administer vitamin A twice a year (prize N US cents). Many of thcse children have been treated with local antibiotics without any bcnclit.

I n some cases Bitot’s spots do not disappear and the smoky pigmentation of conjunc- tiva seen in the malnourished children remains apparent.

The differentialdiagnosis between xerophthalmia and pemphigoid keratoconjunctivitis sicca, measles keratitis, trauma, gonorrhoea, syphilis and onchocerciasis are described.

The author has performed virological examinations and biopsies in cases of measles keratitis and xerophthalmia.

The different stages of the disease are described (XN: night blindness, X-1A and B: conjunctival xerosis, X-2 corneal xerosis, X-3A corneal erosio, X-3B corneal ulceration, X-4 scars).

The very time consuming demonstration ol night blindness has been performed, and levels of albumin, globulin, retinol, beta caroten, retinol binding proteins etc. have been investigated.

The book includes an interesting chapter concerning causes of blindness in 7 schools for blind childrcn (perforating injuries, congenital anomalies, optic nerve atrophy etc. - Onchocerciasis is no longer endemic in Kenya as a result of the 1955 DDT campaign).

There is a very high mortality rate among blind children in Kenya! The author concludes with some public health aspects: Bianual administration of a

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Page 3: Judicia De Novis Li Bris

Judicia de Novis Libris

single massive oral dose of vitamin A should be given to children at risk (malnourished children suffering from measles, fever, affections of the respitator y digestive or uro- genital tract), This should be given under strict supervision to avoid intoxication. This is considered, an emergency measure only .

The author claims that nutrition education and promotion of caroten sources etc. are the only logical solution to the problem.

The book is well illustrated with numerous sketches, photographs, diagrams, and tables. Moreover there are 6 double pages, each containing 8 picture in colours on the righthand page, with corresponding black and white drawings on the lefthand page with detailed explanations of the pictures of the vital stained eyes or biopsies - a very instructive idea!

This book is to be highly recommended to all those interested in the prevention of blindness (xerophthalmia being one of the main causes of blindness in the world!) and to those interested in the cornea, the conjunctiva, vital staining, conjunctival mucus and fat, and measles ctc.

Mogeni N o m

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