Reprint from The American Journa of Ophthalmology, April, 1893. 
OPHTHALMOMETRY IN AMERICA. 
Editor American Journal of Ophthalmology: 
Dear Sir.-There is nothing in Dr. Davis' long letter in 
this issue which has not, I think, been fully met in my com- 
munication in the number for January. At least I am content 
with the statement of the facts, and am sure the profession 
have had more than a sufficiency of this ophthalmometry 
farce. 
There is one person, however, who is entitled to a hearing 
on all things pertaining to the practice or history of ophthal- 
mometry and that is the genial gentleman to whose ingenuity 
and patient labor we are indebted for the instrument. The 
following letter from Dr. Javal, which he has asked to have 
published, was written by him before he had any knowledge 
that I intended to reply to Dr. Davis' communication, and is 
his free will offering towards a settlement of the question. 
Here is a translation of the letter: 
[Translation.] 
51 rue de Grenelle, Paris, 24/2, '93. 
My Dear Colleague.-An unknown friend has sent me a 
copy of the Nezu York Medical Journal of 24th of December 
last, containing a letter from Dr. A. E. Davis on ophthalmo- 
metry in America. The object of that letter is the establish- 
ment of Dr. St. John Roosa as the "champion" of ophthalmo- 
metry in your country. 
I recognize the obligations we are under to Dr. Roosa for his 
encomiums on the ophthalmometer and I have the highest re- 
gard for his recent publications on the subject of refraction, 
but it appears to me that Dr. Davis fails utterly by his mis- 
conception of the part you have played, and for this reason 
his letter has given me great chagrin. 2 
Since 1883 you have pointed out the usefulness of the oph- 
thalmometer, and you have never withheld your advocacy of 
it when ever any opportunity offered. I believe that your ar- 
ticles, so thorough and yet so moderate in tone, have been 
largely instrumental in extending the use of an instrument 
which is now more popularized in your country than in Eu- 
rope. When you deemed the cause of ophthalmometry firmly 
established you gave your attention to other subjects with- 
out attempting to surround your name with an atmosphere of 
humbuggery. It is for this reason that I cannot let Dr. Davis's 
letter go by without extending to you my renewed thanks and 
cordial sympathy. 
Dr. J aval. 
I think, in the interest of ophthalmometry, it should be 
known, and I have Dr. Javal's authority for the statement, 
that the only ophthalmometers to be had in this country which 
have been verified by Dr. Javal himself are those on sale by 
Borsch in Philadelphia. It should also be added that the price 
of these instruments now, in spite of "le Bill McKinley," is 
not above those of equal goods-if there be any-which are 
manufactured or constructed in this country. 
With thanks for your courtesy I am yours very truly, 
Swan M. Burnett.