Cyril Henry Woodford Kett FBOA FSMC (1890-1971) was one of the five people who signed the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Australian College of Optometry in 1939. He was a councillor of the College from 1940 to 1970 and First Vice President 1944 to 1947. He was made an honorary life member of the College in 1954. He donated numerous items of historical interest to the College that provided the foundation of the Museum which now bears his name. It was painted by another optometrist, John Nathan.This painting is significant to the College as it is one of only ten portraits in oils of individuals who have been leaders in the development of the College.This framed oil painting shows Mr Cyril Henry Woodford Kett FBOA FSMC (1890-1971),Councillor and Vice President of the Australian College of Optometry, an important figure in Optometry in Victoria. It was painted in 1980 by another optometrist, John Nathan,and is signed by the artist at lower right corner: 'John Nathan'.Signed by artist at lower right corner: 'John Nathan'. Plaque on frame reads:'Cyril H W Kett FBOA(Hons) FSMC FVOA c1890-1970/ Councillor of the College 1940-1970/ Vice President 1940-42, 1944-47, 1948-50, 1954-70/ Chairman of Council 1944-1947/ One of the five signatories to the original Memorandum of Association of the Victorian College of Optometry'.optometry, painting, oil painting, portrait, cyril h w kett

This photograph shows the entrance to the newly-opened Aitken Gallery of the Kett Optometry Museum, located on the first floor of the Australian College of Optometry.Digital photograph of the entrance of the Kett Optometry Museum's Aitken Gallery. The signage is accompanied by a display of eye baths and ointment pots

The cartoon was drawn by John Nathan, one of the final year students in the first class to graduate with the diploma of Licentiate of Optometric Science from the Australian College of Optometry. His father was Bertram Nathan who played important roles in obtaining registration of optometrists in 1934 and on the Council of the College. John was to become Director of Studies from 1950 to 1964 and President of the College from 1969 to 1978. He also paints in oils.This cartoon is significant to the Australian College of Optometry as a piece of memorabilia from the class of 1944. It is one of only two drawings of optometrists in the Kett collection.Framed ink on paper cartoon drawing of final year Optometrical Science students of 1944 in Melbourne. The characters are depicted playing in an optometric consulting room. It is headed 'Final Year Optometrical Science 1944' and at the lower edge are the names of the students 'John Nathan, Tony "Craniclaw" Douglas, Vans Ovenden and Doug Allen'. Signed by the artist 'John Nathan'.This cartoon drawing depicts final year Optometry students in a contemporary consulting room of 1944. They are shown in typical optometrists' attire of dark trousers, side-buttoning short white coats and PD ruler in the breast pocket. The room has an electric instrument stand, hydraulic patient chair and internally illuminated test chart. The drawing shows the artist's name 'John Nathan' and is mounted in a black frame.Signed by the artist 'John Nathan'students, optometry, optometrical science, cartoon, drawing

Digital photograph of 1930s optometric consulting room in the Aitken Gallery of the Kett Optometry Museum. The photograph is taken looking through the door labelled 'W.E.SMITH. FVOA OPTOMETRIST AND OPTICIAN'. The detailed exhibit shows equipment, instruments and furniture typical of optometry practices in the 1930s.

This is one of a collection of items associated with Dr Felix Henry Meyer (1858-1937). Meyer was a very prominent early obstetrician and doctor, playing a part in the establishment of the role of the chair of obstetrics at the University of Melbourne in 1929. He was also a foundation member of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons.Metal optometer. Consists of a glass lens, metal scale and a sliding sight test plate. The words 'CONVEX' and 'CONCAVE' are engraved on the side of the scale. Top of the scale is engraved with various measurements. Test plate is engraved with the words 'COUNT THE DOTS' and a series of dots.optometry

Flesh coloured celluloid eye shade in original box labelled, Improved ventilated eye shades No.6694 Right eye, made in England.Mace & Haldane London.medicine, optometry, eye shade

Small glass used for washing eyes.W.T.Co Dmedicine, optometry, eye wash

These contact lenses represent some of the earliest lenses used in Australia. They were made in Germany and distributed in Australia. Very few optometrists were involved with contact lenses in the 1930's.These lenses are rare as few glass contact lenses have survived intact from the 1930's.Pair of glass scleral contact lenses in D-shaped plastic hinged case. Case for right lens includes rubber suction lens handler.Right case:25/8 R -2, Left case:5/8 L -3. Case cover impressed:Carl Zeiss Jena/ Made in Germanyoptometry, contact lenses, scleral lenses, carl zeiss

Possibly belonged to Louis SchwerkoltSmall dark brown leather glasses case With maroon velvet inside. Frameless 'Pince- nez glasses With a gold nose clip attached to glass also with small gold chain for ear attachment. One spare glass lens as wellmedicine, optometry, personal effects, seeing aids

Trial frames are used to hold trial spectacle lenses in front of the eyes to establish the spectacle refraction. This unit is able to hold 3 lenses in front of each eye. It is very complex for its early date.This trial frame is a rare example of a very complex early design which has survived in good condition. Complex nineteenth century trial frame: double lens clip to front rotated by long control knob. Single downward pointing lens clip to back. Bridge height and extension adjustable. Variable inter-pupillary distance calibrated in inches. Slide extending curl sides. Eye rims stamped:'PAT NOV.6.94 & PAT JUNE25.95'. Sides stamped:'PAT APR.30.95'optometry, eye examination, refraction, trial frame, spectacles

This case only includes spherical lenses and has no cylindrical lenses for correction of astigmatism. The lenses have no rims, which was unusual after 1900. The set appears to have had very little use as it is in excellent condition.This is a late example of a trial case comprising only spherical lenses. The trial frame is a very rare type.Small timber cased trial set of spherical lenses only. No rims on lenses. Case labelled with lens powers in dioptres and inches. Trial frame included of unusual design:each eye rim has a sprung top cover to secure lens in place. Nickel alloy. Fixed bridge stamped 62, tapered sides with loop ends. Also a lens handling tool (nickel alloy) to position a lens in front of patient's eye.Lens powers labelled in inches and dioptres. Trial frame bridge stamped '62'.optometry, lenses, refraction, trial case, trial set

This instrument was manufactured in 1969 to a design developed in 1905. It was used in private practice in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. It was donated to the Optometry museum in August 2000. The instrument's inventor, Hjalmar August Schioetz (1850-1927) was born in Stavanger, Norway. He graduated in Medicine in 1877 in Kristiania. He studied ophthalmology in Vienna and in Paris. He was appointed professor of medicine with the obligation of teaching eye medicine in Kristiania in 1901. He demonstrated his tonometer in 1905 and for the next half century it was generally accepted as a reliable means of measuring intraocular pressure.Many examples of Schiotz tonometers can be found in near-mint condition as they were superseded in the latter half of the twentieth century. Although this example is in fine condition it is not historically significantCased stainless steel instrument to measure intra-ocular pressure. Grey leatherette case lined with grey satin and felt. Case contains stainless steel spring balance tonometer, convex test block and two calibration weights. Slipped within upper lining of case are a yellow card of instructions and a greencertificate of accuracy.Case cover imprinted "Schioetz-Tonometer Improved". Tonometer engraved "6988" and logo of "JJW". One weight engraved "7,5", other "10"tonometer schiotz pressure optometry ophthalmology

Model eyes were used by students to practise skills of ophthalmoscopy and retinoscopy. This item shows more variety of fundus view and refractive state than most.This fine example is preserved in excellent condition, perhaps through lack of use. It is the most complex of the five model eyes in the collection.Cased metal model eye for teaching ophthalmoscopy and retinoscopy. 17 numbered interchangeable fundi illustrating various pathological conditions. Double cell lens holder in front can hold lenses for retinoscopy. Axis scale on front. 6 lenses provided to simulate various refractive states. Rotating disc changes between 3 pupil sizes. Model eye, fundi samples & lenses enclosed in snap closing wooden case, covered in black leatherette and lined with burgundy velvet.Inside case:'F.DAVIDSON & Co,/ 29 GREAT PORTLAND STREET,/ LONDON, W/ DUNN'S MODEL EYE'optometry, ophthalmology, model eye, teaching, ophthalmoscopy, retinoscopy

Document. Printed folded sheet advertising the opticians 'Mansour & Mansour' of Melbourne and Bendigo for eyesight testing. Includes a list of 'Some Important Optical Hints'.medicine, optometry, eye sight testing, eyesight testing, mansour & mansour, opticians

This telescope was amongst various items collected from a sea dive in Port Phillip Bay. The diver was the caretaker of the Port Lonsdale Lighthouse, who dived on various wrecks in the bay during the 1960's. After the caretaker's death, his son sold off many of the shipwreck artefacts. The telescope was purchased from the caretaker's son in the 1990's by a previous owner of the Marine Shop, Queenscliff, Victoria. John Browning was particularly well known for his scientific advances in the fields of spectroscopy, astronomy, and optometry. Between 1856 and 1872, Browning acquired provisional patents for designs of numerous scientific instruments. He was also the recipient of an award at the 1862 International Exhibition held in London. Also recognised for his temperature-compensated aneroid barometer. Browning's scientific instruments were used in physics, chemistry, and biology. The products he designed and manufactured included spectroscopes, telescopes, microscopes, barometers, photometers, cameras, ophthalmologist, and electrical equipment such as electric lamps. John Browning was born around 1831 in Kent, England. His father, William Spencer Browning, was a maker of nautical instruments. John Browning's great-grandfather was also an instrument maker as well as John’s brother Samuel Browning of the firms Spencer & Browning and Spencer, Browning & Rust, who also manufactured navigational instruments. The latter firm was in operation in London from 1784 to 1840 and was succeeded by the firm of Spencer, Browning & Co. John Browning initially intended to follow the medical profession and entered Guy's Hospital, a teaching hospital and a school of medicine. Despite having passed the required examinations, however, he abandoned his plans. Instead, he apprenticed with his father, William Spencer Browning. At the same time, in the late 1840s, he was a student attending the Royal College of Chemistry several days per week. By the early 1870s, practical optics had become John Browning's primary interest, and he listed his occupation as an optician on the census records from 1871 to 1901. He was well known among London's ophthalmic surgeons for his various ophthalmic instruments. He had a large part in reforming the art of crafting spectacles. Other achievements were as an author of the book, How to Use Our Eyes and How to Preserve them by the Aid of Spectacles. Published in 1883, the book included thirty-seven illustrations, including a diagram demonstrating the anatomy of the eye. In 1895, he was one of the founders of the "British Ophthalmology" the first professional organisation for optometry. He was not only its first president but also registered as its first member so many considered him to be the first professional optometrist. Other professional organisations he belonged too was as a member of “The Aeronautical Society of Great Britain”. In 1871 constructing the first wind tunnel located at Greenwich Marine Engineering Works. He was also a member of other scientific organisations, such as the “Microscopical Society of London”, the “Meteorological Society”, and the “Royal”. Then in 1908 the company of W. Watson & Son, opticians and camera makers, took over John Browning's company since 1901 John Browning had been semi-retired but in 1908 he fully retired and moved to Bournemouth in Hampshire. He died in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire in 1925.The telescope is significant for its association with one of the world’s leading scientific instrument makers and inventor of the 19th and early 20th century. It is believed the donation came off a wreck either in Port Philip Bay or between Point Lonsdale and the Nepean Heads making it a significant maritime historical artefact. Its provenance is good given it was taken off a wreck in this area by the Point Lonsdale lighthouse caretaker. Examples of John Browning's telescopes because of their scientific and historical importance are highly valued by collectors.Marine style single draw brass telescope with a sunshade. The single draw has no split and the second cartridge is held in a long brass tube within the single draw, mounted from the objective end. The eyepiece is flat and at the end of the first draw in a very faded engraving that is believed to read "John Browning, 63 Strand, and should read London under the word strand but this is hard to establish given the engravings condition. This interpretation of the engraving has been arrived at by examination of other John Browning telescope engraving examples."John Browning, engraved to the first tube in copper plate style "63 STRAND" Engraved under in capital textflagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, shipwreck artefact, port phillip bay, port lonsdale lighthouse, wreck, 1960’s diver, queenscliff marine shop, john browning, telescope, spectroscopy, optometry, scientific instruments, william spencer browning, optician, navigational instrument, microscopical society of london, aeronautical society, marine technology

How widely the prisoptometer was used is unclear but the Standard Optical Company later patented a new model, The Standard Prisoptometer, on June 21, 1904. Edward Jackson's crossed cylinder technique of determining astigmatism was first detailed in the Transactions of the American Ophthalmological Society (1887)4:595-598. The convenience of Jackson's crossed cylinder lenses over the prisoptometer in weight, cost, portability and reliability meant that they were soon almost universally adopted.This is a rare item as few are known world wide.This instrument is an optometer, that is, a device to measure the refractive error of an eye. It is made of cast iron, steel, brass and glass. It contains a prism which could be rotated, and was used to view a disc or an object circle. The prism caused monocular doubling of the object circle and the separation of the two images varied as the prism rotated, depending on the astigmatism present. The axis of the astigmatism was indicated by the prisoptometer and trial lenses were used to determine the the magnitude of the spherical and cylindrical refractive errorImprinted:"DR CULBERTSON'S PRISOPTOMETER/ GENEVA OPTICAL COMPANY MAKERS, GENEVA, N.Y./ PATENTED SEPT, 21, 1886". Stamped "853" on eyepiece and lens mounting.optometry, prisoptometer, optometer, astigmatism, refractive error, refraction, culbertson

This model was used in lectures in the College from the mid 20th century. An ophthalmotrope is a mechanical model constructed to demonstrate the movements of the eyes and the actions of the various muscles which produce them. The first ophthalmotrope was made by Theodore Reute in 1845 and it was he who gave it the name 'ophthalmotrope'. Frans Donders (1818-1889) became interested in eye movements on reading Reute's work, and his subsequent studies were of physiological interest and also provided the basis for principles underlying the correction of squint. Because of the complexity of the actions and counter actions of the eye muscles, ophthalmologists of the 19th century sought a practical solution with the construction of mechanical models. Reute's second model of 1857 was more sophisticated. Its eyeballs contained lenses and the optical system could be moved backwards and forwards to simulate accommodation. Later ophthalmotropes are known by Landolt, Knapp and Snellen.This ophthalmotrope is the one that was used as a teaching aid in the College from the mid 20th century.Brass framed model to illustrate actions of extra-ocular muscles. Two painted wooden globes mounted in brass frame with coloured strings attached to brass weights positioned to show actions of various extra-ocular muscles. Also wooden storage box. Materials: brass, metal, wood, string.optometry, ophthalmology, ophthalmotrope, eye, eye movements, extra ocular muscles, eye muscles, eye teaching

Glasses, also known as eyeglasses or spectacles, are frames bearing lenses worn in front of the eyes. They are normally used for vision correction or eye protection. A young boy’s frameless spectacles - 1 glass lens with gold style bridge with a stiffened cardboard spectacle case eyes, spectacles, eye glasses, optometry, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, schools

Glasses, also known as eyeglasses or spectacles, are frames bearing lenses worn in front of the eyes. They are normally used for vision correction or eye protection. Pince-nez is a French style of spectacles, popular in the 19th century, that are supported without earpieces, by pinching the bridge of the nose. The name comes from French pincer, "to pinch", and nez, "nose". Although pince-nez were used in Europe in the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries, modern ones appeared in the 1840s and reached their peak popularity around 1880 to 1900 A solid bridge piece is moulded to fit the curvature of the bridge of the nose. They are anchored onto the bridge of the nose via two small spring-loaded clips terminating in special nose-pads made from bone or tortoise shell on metal called plaquettes, which are tweezered apart for placement on the face through applying pressure to two small lever-like finger-pieces located on the front of the bridge. Plaquettes could be either hinged and flexible, permitting a better fit, or static as in the older examples of this type.. They were popular from the 1890s through to the 1950s, One half of a pair of lady’s Pince-nez eyeglasses with 1 gold rimmed glass lens , a gold style bridge and a fine gold chain that is attached to the side of the lens frame and to a shaped over- ear metal piece. eyes, spectacles, eye glasses, optometry, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, pince-nez

Articles in the annual report include: retirement of Graham Lawrence and appointment of Jon Isaacs, death of Dr Sandy Robertson, pilot Traineeship Access Course for school leavers was developed, library involved in organising IFLA Specialist section meeting, introduction of face to face proofreading for talking books, Dr Max Lang donated his personal collection of optometry books, Maths Braille Code revised with input from Betty Smith and RBS staffers, increase of braille produced through microbraille program, Paul Cullen Centre opened on October 28, 1987 with two levels of care via Burgess Hostel and Roselands Nursing Home, closure of Lighthouse Hostel in Burwood and small cottage style hostels in Enfield and Strathfield, introduction of new lines in manufacturing (skirthanger, Miyata bicycle), Variety Club of Australia continue their support for a national children book collection, 3M Australia sponsored upgrade of studios and Talking Book of the Year award, Jillian Hallam won Sports Girl - for all Women in Sport award and Inge King's 'Awakening' won the Bicentennial RBS Sculpture award.1 volume of text and imagesroyal blind society of new south wales, corporation records

Richard Liebreich of Germany invented his design of ophthalmoscope in 1855. This example is complete in its case with Coccius lenses and condensing lenses. Early ophthalmoscopes required an external source of illumination, eg lamp or candle, and light was reflected into the eye to be examined by the mirror on the ophthalmoscope. The earliest versions of the Liebreich ophthalmoscope used a polished metal surface to reflect light; glass mirrors were introduced in 1870. A condensing lens was held in front of the patient to view the image. A Coccius lens could be clipped into the holder to counter ametropia of user or subject.This Liebreich ophthalmoscope is significant for the collection as it is the only complete example of the three held in the collection.Cased Liebreich ophthalmoscope with 5 small coccius glass lenses and 2 glass condensing lenses. Non-illuminated ophthalmoscope has concave mirror in round head with central sight hole.Hinged coccius clip attached to hold lenses. Black metal head, silver coloured mount and black turned timber handle. Case has black leather outer lining and purple velvet and satin inner linings. Case hinged with snap closure. On front of case:"LIEBREICH'S OPHTHALMOSCOPE" 4 of 5 Coccius lenses engraved with powers: "8-", "12-", "-01", "+01"ophthalmoscope, optometry, ophthalmology, liebreich, coccius, lenses, eye examination, fundus, funduscopy, non illuminated, instrument, eye doctor, liebreich ophthalmoscope

Yields information about Ballarat's and district government and local services and business's through advertising, timetables, providing addresses.Thirty two page + covers, Guide Book titled "McConnell's District Guide - Ballarat" for 1924. Covers - orange with title and advertising and calendar for 1924 and 1925 on inside of rear cover. Inside pages, missing pages 23 to 26 (see note below) printed on semi gloss paper with district information and Advertisements. Pages 7 to 11 loose - due to removal of other pages. Centre stapled. Page 1 has a table of contents, giving municipal and district information including banks, clubs, Councillors, Hospitals, JP's Industries, Medical, Newspapers, Parks, Places of interest, schools, train and bus timetables and trams (see note below). Item was contained within the back cover of Reg Item 5486 - Service Exercise Book, black covers, with label, red binding titled "No. 2 - Ballarat Tramways & S.E.C. Systems" - see list. Timetables cut out and pasted into a folio within Reg Item 5507 - see Reg Item 5513 for pages of the timetable pasted into the document. Has many advertisements for local and Melbourne companies. Major ones are: Wertheim pianos - Melbourne Tyer's Drapery Morshead Stores Jeffree Muir - Seeds Victor H Wastell - Optometry B. Farrer - chemist Val Purdue - Saddler McGibbony Bros - jeweller Sunshine Garage Osbrow & Co - boots J. Ewins - books W. A Stark - Grocer Tunbridges - furniture Walters Bros - Estate Agents The Ballarat Trustees Executors and Agency Co. A. E. White - tailor Excelsior Motor Bus Co. Creer the Cashman - blankets Faull's - shoes Andrew Cant - ironmonger W. F. Coltman - timber Stevens - furs Her Majesty's Theatre Hutton's - Jeweller On cover, "W. Jack 1924" and "1924" in ink.trams, tramways, ballarat, commerce, advertisements, timetables

Stereoscope slide viewers were popular throughout the late 19th and early 20th century. The dual photographic images gave a three-dimensional view of popular tourism sites and sometimes news events.This is the only stereoscope in the collection intended for general use. Others held in the collection were intended for study of ocular anatomy or visual training.Stereoscope slide viewer. Wood with metal eyeshield engraved with eagle decoration. Folding wooden handle. Detachable sliding target slide holder.Clip mount stamped 'PATENT/AUS', unclearstereoscope, stereopsis, views, tourism, souvenir

Single lenses were used to assist reading for many centuries before spectacles were widely available. This magnifying lens may be even older than its case. The simple, large glass lens is held in a hand-worked horn or bone rim. The leather case decorated with floral beadwork is typical of northern European styles c1850.This lens is significant for the collection as it is the earliest mounted single lens in the Kett Museum.Large, round, horn-rimmed reading glass, or magnifier lens, incorporating ring-shaped handle. Glass lens in horn or bone rim. Leather slip-in case with floral beadwork.lens, magnifier, reading lens, horn rim, beadwork

These night driving spectacles are in a shape of frame fashionable for ladies in the 1950's. The position of the lens silvering shows that these are designed for use in right hand drive cars. These were an expensive item in their day. Their excellent condition and original cardboard box suggest that they may be unsold new old stock.No other example of these Nupronite night driving spectacles is known in any Australian collection.Boxed Nupronite night driving spectacles. Yellow flat plano glass lenses with silver mirror finish in wearer's upper right field of each lens (to minimise glare of oncoming lights). Tortoise-shell look cat's eye frame. In original cardboard box.On box:'Nuprosal/ Nupronite/ "CAT'S EYES" NIGHT DRIVING SPECTACLES OUTSTANDING IN DESIGN AND QUALITY/ MANUFACTURED BY OPTICAL CRAFTSMEN/ MADE IN ENGLAND BY NUPRO LONDON/ MODEL:CAT'S EYES/ LENSES:SUPER/ COLOUR:AUTUMN LEAF'. Price added by hand '2 pound 17/6'spectacles, glare, night driving, eye protection

This pretty folding silver lorgnette appears European in styling and may be French. The extensive scratching on the lenses indicates many years of use. This form of lorgnette was popular in the mid to late nineteenth century.This lorgnette is significant to the collection as one of the most ornate.Silver folding short handled lorgnette with pivoted bridge and ornamental loop handle. Round convex lenses badly scratched.lenses, glasses, lorgnette, folding spectacles

This 300 year old book deals with the theory of light and colour and with investigations of the colours of thin sheets, 'Newton's rings', and diffraction of light. Newton uses a wave theory of light and his corpuscular theory to explain his observations. Sir Isaac Newton (1643-1727) was a great figure in the history of optical science. His classic 'Opticks' was first published in English in 1704. This Latin edition of 1706 was published to satisfy a wider scientific audience in Europe. Newton was Lucasian Professor at Cambridge 1669-1693 and a fellow of Trinity College. He achieved fame as a creative mathematician and for his law of universal gravitation which explains planetary motions. He retired from research in 1693 to become a government official in London.This book is highly significant as a milestone in the study of optics. Although not a very rare book, only one other copy is listed by WorldCat in an Australian institution.Latin edition of Newton's 'Optics' translated by Samuel Clarke. This copy is bound in full calf leather of the period, 348 pages, with fold-out figures plus a 24 page appendix 'Enumeratio linearum tertii ordinis' and a 43 page appendix 'Tractus de quadratura curvarum'. It is in outstandingly good condition.Inscribed on the fly leaf in pencil is that this is the 2nd edition, the first in Latin, and that Newton gave Clarke 500 pounds for the translation.refraction, optics, newton, reflection

This book of lectures on optics & geometry by Isaac Barrow, from 1674, was published in London in Latin to make it available to scholars across Europe. Isaac Barrow (1630-1677) was a graduate of Cambridge (BA 1649, MA 1652) and a mathematician. He became Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge in 1663 and was tutor to Newton. This book includes Barrow's studies in geometric optics and the nature of light; material that would have encouraged Newton's better known research.This book has historical significance as it details the contemporary development of the knowledge of optics in the late 17th century. It is quite rare as no other copies are listed on WorldCat for Australia.Book, bound in full calf leather of the period, about optics and geometry by Isaac Barrow, in Latin. It has a title page, 12 introductory pages and 151 pages of text divided into 13 "lectures". There are 13 fold-out figures illustrating geometric constructs. It is in good condition except that the front cover is at present detached.optics, geometry, isaac barrow

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