A study of the ocular manifestations of systemic gonorrhoea [sic] with reports of cases of this nature / by W. Gordon M. Byers.

  • Byers, W. Gordon M. (William Gordon Matthew)
Date:
1908
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Licence: In copyright

Credit: A study of the ocular manifestations of systemic gonorrhoea [sic] with reports of cases of this nature / by W. Gordon M. Byers. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by UCL Library Services. The original may be consulted at UCL (University College London)

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    PREFACE In the following pages, something more than a compilation has been attempted. The writer has striven, during the past few years, to gather all that has been written on the subject of gonorrhoeal ocular metastases, and to sift that which was good in the collected material from that which was valueless; to understand the often conflicting opinions expressed in regard to these conditions, and to compare them with data obtained by fresh analyses of the cases in the literature as originally recorded. It must be confessed, however, at the end of this study that the degree of finality hoped for has not been attained. So many of the reports, especially those which had to do with inflammations of the uveal tract, were lacking in essential details, that, in numerous instances, facts, altogether satisfying for criteria, could not be elicited. Still, errors which have crept in during the long develop- ment of the subject, have been pointed out; and conclusions have been reached which, though now provisionally advanced, will, it is thought, eventually prove tO' be correct. In any case, it is hoped that the field has been to some extent cleared and the way to much needed work made more apparent. The unusually large number of reports throughout the study have been placed there for two reasons: first, and principally, because it is only by bringing together the material in this way that one can, at the present time, properly appreciate the extent and variety of the affections that have been attributed to systemic gonorrhoeal infection; and, secondly, because it is hoped that these abstracts, which had in any case to be prepared for the purposes of this study, will temporarily lighten the work of others, especially among English-speaking colleagues who may come to labor in this field. Some cases which have come under the writer's observation will be found in the appropriate sections, but attention is especially called to the case of iridocyclitis, of probable gonorrhceal origin, on page 62. I cannot allow this opportunity to pass without recording my deep appreciation of Professor Adami's stimulating interest in the preparation of this study, and my indebtedness to him for criticism and advice. My warm thanks are also due to Professor Stirling, and my colleague in the eye department, Dr. Fred. Tooke, for their care and trouble in reading over my manuscript; and to them, again, and to Dr. Oskar Klotz for valuable suggestions.