an offer to subscribers
TRANSCRIPT
EDITORIALS 939
famous leaders in ophthalmology who live in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. It was a happy thought to bring to these the best products of their thought in the widely known scientific languages, English, French and German, each writer choosing according to his preference or proficiency the language in which he will set forth his thought. The publication of Acta Ophthalmologica will bring to the notice of ophthalmologists thruout the world how much of the best literature relating to our specialty comes from these countries. Certain nations have levied a sort of voluntary tribute on others by the process of publishing their scientific discoveries and inventions, and much of this tribute has been paid by the Scandinavians. By this bold expedient of adopting the more widely spoken languages, a Scandinavian journal will secure for these nations the recognition of their scientific contributions to the world literature.
The place attained in the world literature of ophthalmology by this Journal in the last six years is very gratifying. Each year a relatively large proportion of its new subscribers has been drawn from other countries; and there has been a similar growth in the number and importance of the scientific papers from other parts of the world that have sought it as a medium of publication. A glance over this volume shows twelve communications from writers of other countries; and there are now on hand for publication in the new year valuable papers from writers living in Asia, Africa and Europe, as well as in America. In every direction the movement for a world literature of ophthalmology goes steadily forward.
E. J.
AN OFFER TO SUBSCRIBERS. In the United States there are at
least twice as many graduates in medicine who practice ophthalmology as an important part of their work, as there are subscribers for the AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY. Those who do read the JOURNAL know that the others ought to have it. They can help
their colleagues and help themselves by bringing this fact to the attention of those who are not taking the JOURNAL.
To impress this point we offer to send two copies of this journal for the next year and two copies of the Ophthalmic Year Book for 1924, one each, to an old subscriber, and one to a physician practicing ophthalmology, whose name is not now on our subscription list, for the price of ten dollars each, twenty dollars, sent with the subscription before December 31. If the subscription is received before December 1, the new subscriber will also receive the December number free.
BOOK NOTICES. Xerophthalmia in Denmark, 1909-1920,
with an English Summary. By Olaf Blegvad, M.D., Assistant in Ophthalmology at the Hospital, Copenhagen. Paper, 170 pages, 18 ill. Oyldendalske Bookhandel. Copenhagen.
Xerophthalmia and keratomalacia are rarely seen in America; a few cases are found in the larger cities. Denmark is particularly well situated for statistical studies regarding these diseases. Not only is its restricted area so situated that practically all cases come under the observation of well trained oculists, but the sharply marked seasons and the definite food variations of animals and human beings make it possible to draw conclusions of positive value with regard to the share that diet has in its etiology. To such a country the rest of the world must look for light on its pathology and treatment.
The opportunities thus afforded have been appreciated and utilized by Blegvad, who brings together in this monograph a good resume of the literature referring to these diseases, the accounts of recent investigations of vitamins, particularly the fat soluble vitamin A, and careful study of the cases of keratomalacia and conjunctival xero-sis occurring during the period named. These latter number, keratomalacia in children 434 cases, and in adults 19. Of xerosis of the conjjunctiva there were 148 cases. Blegvad finds the evi-