The description of an ophthalmoscope, being an English translation of von Helmoltz's 'Beschreibung eines Augenspiegels'

Historical Significance: Arguably the most significant advance in the practice of ophthalmology and optometry was the invention of the ophthalmoscope by German physiologist, Hermann von Helmholtz in 1851. This instrument enabled the retina and other interior structures of the eye to be viewed. This book is an English translation of the original description of the invention published in Berlin by The A Forstner Publishing House in 1851. It had a limited print run of 500 copies for private distribution only. Herman von Helmholtz (1821 - 1894) is a towering figure in vision science. He qualified in medicine at the Berlin Medical Institute in 1843 and began researching while on military service as a physician in Potsdam. By 1858 he was Professor of Anatomy & Physiology in Bonn and after professorial appointments in Konigsberg & Heildelberg became Professor of Physics in Berlin in 1871. He is best known for his work on mathematical physics and acoustics but is also the father of vision science (See Cat Nos 84. 85, 86 and 2008 for the English language edition of Helmhotz' Treatise on Physiological Optics'.)