Skiascopy and its practical application to the study of refraction

Historical Significance: Skiascopy is a now archaic synonym for retinoscopy. Jackson (1856 - 1942) was Professor of Diseases of the Eye in the Philadelpia Polyclinic and the College for Graduates in Medicine and was a surgeon at the Wills Eye Hospital. He explained and popularised retinoscopy which had been invented by Cuignet of Lille in 1873 but without understanding its optical principles. At the time this book was written the term retinoscopy was not universally used. The rare book collection also holds a copy of the first edition 1895 Cat No 52. Jackson was president of major national ophthalmologic organisations, professor and chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Colorado. He established the first graduate course for ophthalmologists and was the principal founder of the American Board of Ophthalmology. He founded and edited the Yearbook of Ophthalmology and Ophthalmic Literature. In 1918, he became editor of the third series of the American Journal of Ophthalmology, which consolidated five ophthalmic periodicals. He popularised retinoscopy in the United States and the cross cylinder technique.