K 621
Weller´s textbook of ophthalmology
G. Wollensak
Background: Weller was an ophthalmologist in Dresden at the beginning of the 19th century. The first edition of his textbook of ophthalmology appeared in 1819, only two years after the handbook from Beer in Vienna, who was the first professor of ophthalmology.
Material and methods: The original of the 3rd edition of Weller´s textbook ´Die Krankheiten des menschlichen Auges` from 1826 was read and analyzed in terms of our present and then kowledge.
Results: In the text, main points are inflammations of the cornea, iris, and conjunctiva, with special emphasis on syphilitic inflammations and Scrofulosa. Viral forms of inflammation were completely unknown. Cataract and its three treatment modalities of Reclinatio, Extrac-tio and Keratonyxis are described in detail. Increase of intraocular pressure in glaucoma, ophthalmoscopy and strabismus operations were still unknown.
Conclusions: Weller´s textbook gives a comprehensive insight into the ophthalmological state of the art at the time and illustrates nicely how many commonplace features of today´s ophthalmological knowledge had to be discovered laboriously in course of time.
University eye clinic Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, D-01307 Dresden, Germany