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R a d i u m
holder with comparatively little filtrationin order to get as much beta
ray effect as possible. The holder is attached to a handle so that the
hand of the attendant does not have to be ex|x>sed.
"A method which has been used elsewhere and which i> recommended
is the use of a considerable amount of radium emanation for a
few seconds over the involved area of the lids and in this way a number
of cases can be treated at one time. One, of course, must be very careful
about the dosage where such a large amount of emanation is used. The
advantages of this method are in the saving of time and in getting a pure
beta ray effect. We believe that it is much betier to give a safe application
than to attempt to control the disease at one sitting. It is necessary
that the reaction subside following each application before the next
application is made."
Disci'ssiox
Dr. Edward Jackson, Denver. Colo.—As is customary. Dr. Posey
has >o well covered the subject that there remains perhaps only a general
comment on certain points that seem more important.
In the firstplace, there is reason to believe that the failurei diagnose
vernal conjunctivitis in some localities i- due to lack of observation.
I know of several men who. after they recognized a case, saw several
others in a short period, in regions in which they had previously been
practicing without recognizing any. It is easy for those who devote
much of their time to trachoma and have not had their attention called
to vernal conjunctivitis, to make a diagnosis of trachoma in these cases.
especially in the more aggravated form; while the cases that are not
severe arc usually passed over as conjunctival hypermia and not much
importance attached to them.
The diagnosis I think can usually be made from the history, certainly
after the first year or two of the affection. There are a few cases.
but they are very few. that seem to be as bad in the winter as in the
summer. Questioning as to the recurrence from season to season will
generallv bring out the fact that it first began in the spring, or summer.
and has been worse during the warm weather. Seasonal influence is
very striking in some cases. A few years ago I watched a case during
the latter part of the summer, giving palliative treatment, but without
very great relief. The vision was disturbed more than I have seen in
any other case of vernal conjunctivitis. His vision was running about
one-half, or as low as one-third of standard vision. Within three days
after the firstfrost in autumn, he came in showing normal vision, without
any further treatment or any other change to account for it.
I have seen another case in which the man gave a history of one
or two years of conjunctivitis. He went to work in a mine soon after
the attack came on in the early summer and worked there through the
summer, and for a few weeks was entirely free from any evidence of
vernal conjunctivitis. He then began to work above ground, had another
attack, and was told to go back to underground work.
I have seen several cases relieved by removing from Colorado to
other localities. The evidence of Dr. Gonzales, of Mexico, points in
the direction of my experience, that it is not the heat so much as the
dust and dryness that determine the occurrence of vernal conjunctivitis.
The experience of Dr. Feingold in regard to heat is conclusive. Perhaps
in a cold, dry country there may be more freedom from the trouble
than where it is hot and dry. Certainly cases have been relieved by a
climate marked by a relatively low summer temperature and a good