Cataract extraction / by H. Herbert.

  • Herbert, H.
Date:
1908
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Cataract extraction / by H. Herbert. 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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    a series of 497 extractions completely exempt from grave infection. With the same fluid rather more sparingly applied, in 578 extractions there were three grave primary infections, irido-cyclitis ending in atrophy of the globe. Where not only the quantity, but in most instances the strength also of the antiseptic was reduced, panophthal- mitis followed thrice in 349 operations, and there were seven closed pupils from iritis or irido-cyclitis. (Closure of some of these pupils might, however, possibly have been prevented by freer use of atropin.) Then followed a period up to the end of March, 1903, in which 1,172 extractions were performed under the perchloride treatment as at present carried out. There was one suppuration, but no infective iritis or irido- cyclitis severe enough to have resisted energetic treat- ment.* Finally came a period of work from October, 1904, to April, 1907. It included 1,655 extractions. There were no suppurations, and the only complications recognizable as severe infective results at the time of discharge from hospital were two cases of iritis closing the pupils, prob- ably susceptible of remedy later by artificial pupil. There were also the two untreated cases of sympathetic disease described in Chapter V, in which loss of sight was attri- butable largely to neglect, and a third case of loss of sight from chronic cyclitis. We can claim, therefore, a near approach to perfection in final results in this latest series of operations, so far as un- controlled infective inflammation is concerned. But it was only towards the end that we felt fairly safe in this respect. For, besides the three losses, there were, until towards * 'The Practical Details of Cataract Extraction,' 2nd edition, 1903, pp. 53 and 54.