A CASE OF CATARACTA ELECTRICA, EXAMINED WITH GULLSTRAND'S SLIT-LAMP

CASES of cataract, resulting from stroke by lightning or high-tension electric current, may not be so rare as generally imagined from the few cases mentioned in the medical literature of the world. This is possibly due to the fact that about 90 cited cases have been so minutely examined that nothing new could possibly be brought out. In Gullstrand's slit-lamp, however, we have a new and very efficient means of facilitating ophthalmological diagnosis. According to my knowledge only 3 cases of cataract by lightning have so far been examined in this way, this having been done by Professor Koeppe in Halle, who, with Professor Vogt in Basel, is our greatest authority on slit-lamp microscopical examinations. As my findings, however, in some respects differ from those of Professor Koeppe, the publishing of the account below may have its justification. iron mast supporting the high-tension wire from Ljabro to Drammen. About 3 metre from the top he was short circuited by the 50,000 volts current and remained suspended on the mast in a state of paralysis. Not until 10 minutes later was he taken down unconscious. In the regular way revival exercises were applied. A little more than an hour later he was brought to Drammen Hospital, where the following state was observed:-The boy is well built, but pale. Nothing wrong with the lungs. A subsequent examination of the urine showed neither albumen nor sugar. The entire region from above the left upper eyelid to below the left clavicle is-the location of a third degree burn. A temporary examination of the eyes, as also a later and more exact one, during his stay in hospital, showed no intraocular changes. On the left leg, just on the outside of the knee cap, as also on the outside of the left nates, is seen a 5 x 5 centimetre round ulcer with 'dirty, grey, partly ragged edges, this ulcer going straight down to the bone. A number of transplantations were performed ad modum Thiersch on neck, nates and leg. When leaving hospital the wounds were nicely healed. The scars were smooth,