Transactions of the Ophthalmological Society of the United Kingdom (Volume 14)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1894. Excerpt: ... II. DISEASES OF THE CONJUNCTIVA. 1. On school ophthalmia. By Jonathan Hutchinson. I Suspect that most of those present have of late had their attention drawn to the prevalence of a form of ophthalmia which leads to granular lids in a class of society hitherto almost wholly exempt. The cases have occurred chiefly, but not exclusively, in schools, and much anxiety on the part of school managers has naturally been excited. Not a few of us have probably been asked during the last few months to sign certificates of freedom from ophthalmia which were required before the pupil could return to school. The matter presents several features of much importance, in part social and in part medical; and although I must at the outset confess that I have nothing original to put forward, I have thought that a good purpose might be served by bringing the subject before this Society. I wish especially to afford opportunity for the contribution of experience by other members. It is not improbable that before many months are passed some of us may be called upon to advise school committees as to the measures which they should adopt, and it will be well that we should be prepared beforehand by an exchange of opinion on the subject. I was myself in former years on several occasions asked to report on epidemics of this form of ophthalmia in workhouse schools, but not until quite recently have I heard of them in middle-class schools. During the last few months facts have been brought to my knowledge respecting four or five well-managed schools in distant parts of the country which have suffered. For obvious reasons I shall not mention any names, and may perhaps be permitted to ask those who may speak in the discussion to observe reticence in this matter. The type of the disease, so...