Indochoroiditis-Periodic Ophthalmia in Horses.

This is a letter to the editor of the Journal of Comparative Medicine and Surgery by William Oliver Moore, M.D., expressing his viewpoint on recent research conducted on “Indochoroiditis-Periodic Ophthalmia” in horses, a disease of the eye. He argues against the theory that parasites are the cause of the disease, offering instead that the disease is indochoroiditic in nature.

Dr. Moore’s Letter

In his letter, Dr. Moore provides several important points:

• He refers to a recent study by Hocquard and Bernard, stating that it brings nothing new or groundbreaking to the understanding of Indochoroiditis-Periodic Ophthalmia in horses.
• Dr. Moore disputes the argument of Koch, Bertin, and others implying a parasitic origin of the disease. He accepts that organisms may be discovered in the affected eyes, but questions whether they existed prior to examination or were introduced during the procedure.
• He further doubts the parasitic theory by questioning if the presence of organisms in healthy spermatic fluid also suggests illness.
• Based on his own examination of diseased eyes using an ophthalmoscope, he strongly believes that the condition is indochoroiditic and urges researchers to acknowledge this perspective.
• Finally, Dr. Moore expresses disappointment that more researchers aren’t reading the Journal of Comparative Medicine and Surgery, suggesting it’s a valuable resource for staying informed about current findings and research trends.

Implications of the Letter

Dr. Moore’s letter is primarily a critique of the prevailing theory that Indochoroiditis-Periodic Ophthalmia is caused by parasites. His skepticism and questioning of this theory indicate a call for further examination and potentially revised understanding of the disease’s etiology. This call may influence future research by challenging scientists to pursue alternate explanations for the disease, possibly focusing on non-parasitic origins. Furthermore, Dr. Moore’s emphasis on the journal’s importance underscores the need for researchers to remain informed and open to differing viewpoints within their field, highlighting the scientific community’s ongoing discourse.