BOOK NOTICES 983

photographs showing the mycelium and conideae in a case of sporotrichosis. The instructions for sending specimens for examination are such as to serve an educational purpose, if attached to the transactions of any ophthalmologic society. At the Giza Ophthalmic Lab­oratory, the microscopic examination of tumors will be made free for members of the Society, if specimens are sent ac­cording to these instructions.

E. J-Transactions of the College of Physi­

cians of Philadelphia. Volume 43, for the year 1921; 660 pages, 25 il­lustrations. Published by the College, Philadelphia, Pa. This volume has more of interest to

the ophthalmologist than have the aver­age transactions of general medical societies. The proceedings of the Sec­tion on Ophthalmology occupy 72 pages. This being the oldest section in the Col­lege, its proceedings are given first place in the appendix. They appear here as they have been published in this JOURNAL, and include some 46 different subjects.

Other papers of special interest take up : The Use of Gentian Violet in the Treatment of Infections, by John W. Churchman of New York; The Oculo-cardiac Reflex and Its Therapeutic Value, by Alfred Gordon; Differential Blood-pressure in Exophthalmic Goitre, by Joseph Sailer, and two papers on the Roger Bacon Cipher Manuscript, by W. M. Voynich and W. R. Newbold. These latter have interest because Roger Bacon is one of those to whom the invention of spectacles has been ascribed. Voynich has traced, with great probability, the romantic history of the manuscript; and Prof. Newbold reports some first re­sults of undertaking to translate the cipher. These seem to show an ac­quaintance of Roger Bacon with the use of optical instruments, especially the telescope and microscope, hitherto un­suspected.

Other matters of general interest are: The account of the meeting in honor of Madame Curie, with the address of Dr.

Abbe of New York, and papers on the physical and therapeutic properties of radium, by Prof. Goodspeed and Prof. Clark. Madame Curie's presentation to the College of an electrometer made by Prof. Curie, and the presentation of a memento of Lord Lister, and other in­teresting objects and books. This vol­ume is one that well justifies the tradi­tions of the College, preserved thru its 135 years of activity and service, and the high respect in which it is held by the medical profession of America.

E. J.

CORRESPONDENCE. Ophthalmology in the Philippines! To the Editor: The practice of oph­

thalmology here in Manila, the capital and largest city in the Philippine Islands, with a population of almost 300,000, is taken up only by comparatively few. There are at present only some twelve specialists (Filipinos and Americans), and not one of them limits his practice to eye exclusively, but takes up ear, nose and throat cases as well. These few have to attend also to large numbers of patients coming from the provinces, where specialists are not available.

Personally, I would like to induce well trained American ophthalmologists to come and help us contribute, by way of original investigations, something to the science and practice of ophthalmology in the tropics.

I am enclosing herewith an article on cataract by Dr. Felisa Nicholas, which I would request you to publish in the JOURNAL if possible.. The author is un­known to you, and I presume you would require some information about her work and accomplishment. Dr. Nicolas is an instructor in the Department of Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat, University of the Philippines.

Hoping that this request will meet your kind and favorable consideration, I remain,

Yours truly, ANTONIO S. FERNANDO.

Philippine General Hospital, Manila.