. The development of ophthalmology in America, 1800 to 1870; a contribution to ophthalmologic history and biography; an address delivered in abstract before the section of ophthalmology of the American medical association, June 4, 1907 . t, among ophthalmic surgeonsto advocate and employ etherization as a general prac-tice in cataract extraction. He was a man of large stature and strong character,and was a conspicuous figure on all medical was a frequent and forcible, but persuasive, speakerand an excellent presiding ofiicer. He was sturdy andhonest in suppressing quackery, and in
. The development of ophthalmology in America, 1800 to 1870; a contribution to ophthalmologic history and biography; an address delivered in abstract before the section of ophthalmology of the American medical association, June 4, 1907 . t, among ophthalmic surgeonsto advocate and employ etherization as a general prac-tice in cataract extraction. He was a man of large stature and strong character,and was a conspicuous figure on all medical was a frequent and forcible, but persuasive, speakerand an excellent presiding ofiicer. He was sturdy andhonest in suppressing quackery, and in a thousand waysleft his mark on his times and on his community.* ELKANAH WILLIAMS. Elkanah Williams (1822-1888) began his profes-sional life a little later. He graduated from the Uni-versity of Louisville in 1850. After engaging in generalpractice for a short time, he went abroad in 1853, withthe avowed purpose of studying ophthalmology. Hefollowed the same teachers as had Henry W. Williamsat Vienna, Berlin, Paris and London. He was a youngman of intelligence and ambition, and he fitted himselffor ophthalmologic practice as completely as possible. 40 From biographical sketch by Dr. John Green, Trans. Am. , 1896, vil, DR. ELKANAH WILLIAMS (1822-1S88). OPHTHALMOLOGY IN AMERICA. 147 While in Europe the newly invented ophthalmoscopewas the source of much experiment and discussion. Heacquired a knowledge of its use in its modified form andwas probably the first to bring an instrument to thiscountry and to teach his American colleagues its won-derful revelations. It is said that he was also the firstto demonstrate its use to London ophthalmologists atMoorfields in 1854.^^ They had previously hesitated toemploy it, fearing that the strong light which was re-flected by it into the eye would injure the retina. Toillustrate the sentiment then existing in London I willquote from Mr. James Dixon, who was then one of themost prominent ophthalmologists in England, and whowas on
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