Cataract extraction : being a series of papers with discussion and comments read before the Ophthalmological section of the New York academy of medicine, 1907-1908 / edited by J. Herbert Claiborne.

Date:
1908
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Cataract extraction : being a series of papers with discussion and comments read before the Ophthalmological section of the New York academy of medicine, 1907-1908 / edited by J. Herbert Claiborne. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, Harvard Medical School.

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    Simple extraction is so simple and beautiful when skillfully done, and the results when they are good, are so pleasing to both patient and surgeon, that one can almost be excused for indulging his artistic sense to the risk or detriment of the eye. But as good surgeons and faithful counsellors, it becomes us to sacrifice every consideration to the sole object—sight! It matters not one whit that the statistics quoted show that the percentage of failure after the combined is greater by 1.69 per cent. (4.47-2.88) than that after the simple extraction, for the fact remains that in 8.60 per cent, prolapse occurs in the simple, whereas it cannot occur in the combined operation. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Simple extraction necessitates a second operation in 8.60 per cent., and the second operation involves obvious additional risks; no secondary operation is required after the combined extraction. Therefore, the combined op- eration presents less risk, and consequently gives the patient better chances for sight. J. h. c]