ions were made while he was
experimenting on irritation of the sympathetic as a method of producing
increased intra-ocular tension. This is not in accord with Axenfeld's
recent observations. It is well known, this observer points out, that
after the period of excitation and muscular rigidity disappears, there
is a lowering of blood pressure in chloroform narcosis and coincidently
a sinking of the intra-ocular pressure. Not only this, the intra-ocular
tension of normal eyes during this narcosis drops several millimeters.
Only such eyes as have high hypertony, for example, in absolute
glaucoma, are unaffected during chloroform narcosis. In the light of
this observation it will be interesting to measure the tension both of
normal and glaucomatous eyes during narcosis in a large series of cases,
and if it is confirmed there will be an additional reason why in many
circumstances general narcosis is advantageous in glaucomatous patients.
Formerly I thought it was essential, if iridectomy was to be performed,
lest some sudden movement on the part of the patient might bring the
point of the knife in contact with the lens. I have rarely employed it
in corneo-scleral trephining, and yet if there is this temporary
reduction of intra-ocular pressure, it is not without a certain
therapeutic value, and the matter is mentioned as a suggestion that
additional observations along this line shall be made.

Dr. George Edmund de Schweinitz' Paper on Concerning Non-Surgical
Measures for the Reduction of Increased Intra-ocular Tension

Discussion,

NELSON MILES BLACK, M.D.,

Milwaukee.

It seems almost useless to attempt any discussion of Dr. de Schweinitz'
most terse and comprehensive paper. However, Dr. de Schweinitz mentioned
the close relationship which should exist in the non-surgical treatment
of increased intra-ocular tension between the internist and the
ophthalmologist, but neglected to mention a corresponding relation which
should exist between the rhinologist and the ophthalmologist, and
possibly between the dental surgeon and the ophthalmologist.

I would like to refer to the _now_ recognized close relationship which
exists between disease of the nasal accessory sinuses and diseases of
the eye. The definition of glaucoma found in Dr. Wood's system of
therapeutics gives rise to an hypothesis as to why disease of the nasal
accessory sinuses may be a factor in producing increased intra-ocular
tension and why treatment