On epithelial xerosis of the conjunctiva / by Sydney Stephenson.

  • Stephenson, Sydney, 1862-1923.
Date:
[1898]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On epithelial xerosis of the conjunctiva / by Sydney Stephenson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    Reprinted from VoL XVIII of the Ophthalmoloffhial ^ocietfs Transactions On of 'ihe^oniunctiva. By Sydney Stephenson, Theodor Saemisch appears to have been the first sys- tematic writer to apply the name “ epithelial xerosis ” to a superficial change of the ocular conjunctiva^ limited parts of which become di-y and lustreless, and are covered with a foam-like whitish substance. The condition de- scribed by him may or may not be associated with definite night-blindness. He drew a distinction between the epi- thelial form of xerosis and the parenchymatou.s, in which the mucous membi’ane is atrophic, and converted, wholly or in part, into scar tissue. Little has been published in England upon the subject of epithelial xerosis. From this dearth of literature it might be inferred that such cases are few and far between. The affection, however, is one that I have had many opportunities of seeing, and I quote the following figures in support of the view that epithelial xerosis is far from uncommon in this country. The statistics, it should be explained, are drawn from schools (residential and other- wise), the scholars of which belonged for the most part to the lower strata of society. For our present purpose the various institutions may be conveniently distinguished by letters, thus : A. A poor law school, which contained upon the occa- sion of my visit in July, 1896, 235 inmates, of wliom 5 (or 2'13 per cent.) were affected. B. A London union school with 512 inhabitants on July 29th, 1896. Of that number 8 (or L56 per cent.) showed epithelial xerosis. c, A Catholic orphanage contained on August 10th, 1896, 193 lads, of whom 9 (or 4'66 per cent.) showed the condition alluded to. d. a metropolitan union school having upon August