This book is the 1835 second edition of John Harrison Curtis' 1833 'A Treatise on the Physiology and Diseases of the Eye, containing a new mode of curing cataract without an operation, experiments and observations on vision, also on the inflection, reflection and colours of light together with remarks on the preservation of sight, and on spectacles, reading glasses etc'. The title page describes J H Curtis (1778-1860) as an oculist and also as an expert on the ear. His knowledge of eye pathology and surgery was poor but this was typical of the medical profession until the middle of the 19th century. He was 'aurist in ordinary' to His Majesty and other members of the royal family and his hospital and teaching appointments had more to do with the ear rather than the eye. The last pages of the book list his other publications most of which concern the ear and the deaf. He was the first person, in 1803, to apply speaking tubes to assist the deaf. He established the Royal Ear Hospital in Soho, UK in 1816.This book is of historic significance as it shows contemporary understanding of ocular pathology in the early nineteenth century. It is quite rare as no other copies of the second edition are known in Australia.'A Treatise on the Physiology and the Diseases of the Eye' by J H Curtis is book of 1835 bound in its original boards, in very good condition, 230 x 140 mm, 242 pages, second edition. There is a coloured plate facing the title page with three figures featuring an ingenious lift up section of a woman's face to show the blood vessels and nerves underneath. There is a philosophical introduction, a chapter on ocular anatomy, two chapters on diseases and their treatment, one on the nature of light and one on the preservation of vision. Cataract is treated by withdrawal of blood from behind the ear and the application of an ointment to an induced blister on the neck, with potash applied to the cornea daily.optics, ocular anatomy, ocular disease, physiology, cataract

This is the 1854 fourth edition of a book on diseases of the eye by William MacKenzie (1791-1868) first published in 1830. William MacKenzie was surgeon oculist in Scotland to Her Majesty (Queen Victoria), lecturer in the University of Glasgow and a surgeon in the Glasgow Eye Infirmary. This fourth edition appeared just after Helmholtz's invention of the ophthalmoscope, but Mackenzie did not at this stage have much understanding of the internal diseases of the eye. Nor did he properly understand refractive errors which were soon to be elucidated by the work of Donders. MacKenzie did however recognise the hardness of the eye as being an essential sign of glaucoma.This book is significant historically as it shows contemporary understanding of eye disease in the early nineteenth century. It is not rare as copies still turn up at book markets and also are held in other Australian institutions.This book, bound in full calf leather (probably later 19th Century) with 1107 pages including an index and is followed by a publisher's catalogue. It is the 1854 fourth edition of William MacKenzie's 'A practical treatise on the diseases of the eye' first published in 1830. It has a long (32 pages) introductory section on the anatomy of the eye by Thomas Wharton Jones, FRS. There are 27 chapters on eye disease. Chapter 24 is on refractive errors and presbyopia.eye, ocular anatomy, ocular disease

This book is a guide to eyecare for the intelligent lay-reader, not so different from books still published today. It appeared in a number of editions until about 1900. This one is edited by George Black MB(Edin) as part of the Long Life Series. As this book is a guide to eyecare for the lay-reader it is socially significant. It is not rare, but being somewhat ephemeral it would not be expected to see copies of this book surviving in the very good condition of our copy. No other copies are listed on WorlCat for Australia.Small hardback book in original printed green cloth covers, 139 pages and 21 figures with 20 pages of book advertisements. The decorative Art Nouveau cover is visually attractive. It is a late nineteenth century guide to eyecare for the intelligent lay-reader. It was priced at one shilling.Signature of J B Shattock on half title page.ophthalmology, eye, eyesight, eyecare

This spectacle case is designed to be worn attached to a belt or waistband in the style of a 'chatelaine'. It is made of electroplated nickel silver (EPNS) and is lined with blue velvet. This style of spectacle case was used late in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.This spectacle case is one of the most ornate in the collection.Chatelaine spectacle case with elaborately pierced pattern decoration made of electroplated nickel silver. Empty cartouche. Deep blue velvet lining. Small chain links case to holding clasp.Rear of clasp hook stamped 'EPNS W Ltd'spectacle case, epns, chatelaine

Porcelain pedestal eye bath with underglaze blue decoration of straw flower pattern. Lines of gilding around bowl rim and foot.Traces only of gilt letters under foot which include 'M' and 'W'.

The power of the lens, +7.50 DS, suggests this might be a magnifying lens for near work rather than a quizzer for distance vision.Round gold rimmed quizzer with machine engraved lens rim. Turned ornamental stem with a small engraved swivelling ring at its end for a cord or ribbon. The lens is glass of power of +7.50 DS.

Spyglasses were popular in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuryGilt brass 5 draw spyglass or small monocular telescope. Foliate and floral decoration around eyepiece, ribbed casing with suspension ring. 5 draw telescopic action extends the spyglass for use.vision, optical devices, fashion

Tin glazed earthenware tile decorated with blue image of a spectacle seller. Corners decorated with ox-head motif.