New England College of Optometry - Scope Yearbook (Boston, MA)

Page 19 text:

THE SCOPE What lls Optometry Arnold E. U 0rdell, '31. It is not within the scope of this paper to tell much in regard to what the profession of Optometry really is. But a brief idea covering the highlights will be a comparatively short task. Little is known about this subject by the average individual. Some think the pro- fession to be a sort of trade to which the student serves apprenticeship as is done in a trade school, others, who hold a higher opinion of the profession think that the Optom- etrist is the individual who can treat diseased conditions of the eye. These two ideas are entirely wrong in every respect. Optometry is not a branch of Medicine but a separate calling and has a prior right because it did the refraction long before medicine undertook this work. lr has been clearly proven that medical men were taught to do this work by optometrists, then known as refracting opticians. When a physician examines eyes for the purpose of prescribing glasses, he is for the time being engaged in the practice of Optometry and not the prac- tice of medicine. The word Optometry comes from the Greek opto. meaning eye, and metro to measure. It is pronounced op-tom'-e-try. Optometry then is the science which deals with the measure of the eye, and the practitioner is called an op-tom'-e-trist. Optometry was known as far back as the year 1000 altho it did not go by that name. It is supposed that the Chinese made use of glasses many years before they were used on the European Continent. Glass was known even before this time and was hrst put to use as mirrors which were used exclusively by the wealthy. Among the lirst forms of lenses were those made of quartz, which were cut, ground and polished by hand. As years passed by there were an increasing number of tools being made which made it quite easy to put out larger quantities of these lenses. They were used chiefly to aid the older people in reading. lt should be known that at this time there were no Op- tometrists to prescribe these lenses and also no schools nor colleges at which anything could be learned in regard to measuring the refraction of the human eye. The lenses were sold over the counter by jewelers, who found it quite a problem to satisfy their trade. At the present time this condition does not exist. One reason for this is that there are a number of recognized schools and colleges who have this subject on their curri- culum. Secondly, all persons who lawfully refract eyes are required to pass a State Board of Examination. This is the one way by which improper individuals can be elim- inated from practice. Optometry is based on the principles of mathematics and physics. It is thus seen that the measurement of the eye as well as the manufacture of correcting lenses, is some- what of a mathematical procedure. Besides the study of mathematics and physics, Op- tometry consists of the study of human anatomy and physiology, all of which hold an important place in the practice of this science. Variety and fascination are found in this work, as well as joy which comes when relieving patients of pain and distress. No better statement can be made in regard to the service which Optometry renders than the following: The service which Optometry offers, is not a selhsh service, but one of the greatest benefit to humanity. lt has been truthfully said that 8592 of all knowledge comes thru nu

Page 18 text:

THE SCOPE PI OMICRON SIGMA FRATERNITY OFFICERS Prerident-Melvin B. Dunbar Vive-Preridezzf-Deane A. Hilliard Serre1fa1'y-Jack Asarkolf T7'Ed5Zl7'6I'-AfHOld E. Wordell PI OMICRON SIGMA Running thru the archives of P. O. S. we find that under the able guidance of the above officers, a very successful year has been enjoyed. V Some of the many activities enjoyed were the opening get together smoker, the initiation, theatre parties, the two successful dances, the bowling matches, not forget- ting to mention the wonderful educational lectures and smokers. Among the many business accomplishments were the introduction of certificates of alhliarion and the production of fraternity keys and banners. The Officers elected for the year 1931-32 are: Pres.-Foster Namiasg V. Pres.-joseph Montminyg Sec.-jack Asarkoffg Treas- Solomon Lestch. U41

Page 20 text:

THE SCOPE the use of the eyes, and the Optometrists mission is to give better and more efficient vision to the human race. It should be known by the high school student who is interested in the preservation of human eyesight, that Optometry offers an unlimited field to the student who will adapt himself to it. New England is extremely fortunate to have in it one of the highest grade optometry schools, to which hundreds of students as well as thousands of eye sufferers owe a great deal of commendation. gg gg gg gg-iG1seQ?pzf The SQOIDQ Staiflf 1193141932 Editor-izz-Chief-G. Edward Bradley Atfofiufe Editor-john E. Asarl-:off BllJflZE.l'.l' Mazzfzger-Foster Namias Atmriazte Bntineff Mgr.-Richard W. Baker Senior Newt-Sol Lestch Alumni Edifor-Millard Bemis joke Editor-Theodore H. Couch Cjrffflrzfiofz Mmtzgez'-Clarence M. Baker The aforementioned members of the Class of 1932 have been appointed to handle the destinies of the school paper for the year 1951-1932. There still remains three mem- bers to be chosen from the incoming junior Class and will be published in a latter issue. Q Pictures by J. E. PURDY, I6O Tremont St. l Boston, Massachusetts l Official Photographer for the Massachusetts School of Optometry E163