Essai sur les phosphènes ou anneaux lumineux de la rétine. Insc. to P. Ricord

Serre d'Uzès, Henri Auguste (1802-70). Essai sur les phosphènes ou anneaux lumineux de la rétine considérés dans leurs rapports avec la physiologie et la pathologie de la vision. xx, 472pp. Text illustrations. Paris: Victor Masson, 1853. 19th-century quarter morocco, gilt spine, slight edgewear. Minor foxing and toning but very good. Presentation Copy, inscribed to Philippe Ricord on the half-title: "L'auteur à son illustre confrère M. le Dr. Ricord hommage de sa haute estime H Serres."

First Edition. Serre d'Uzès was the first to use phosphenes-the phenomenon of seeing light without light entering the eye-to test retinal function prior to cataract surgery. Phosphenes can be induced by mechanical, electrical or magnetic stimulation of the retina, the most common being pressure phosphenes caused by applying pressure on or near the closed eyes; examples of these are illustrated on p. 100 of Serre's treatise.