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Dr Hollwich has been interested in the influence of ocular light perception on metabolism for more than 30 years and has performed some interesting experiments on metabolic changes due to light deprivation in the human. He coined the term "energetic portion of the optic nerve," which can be contrasted to the usual optic portion. Light entering the eye regulates and stimulates numerous autonomic, metabolic, and hormonal processes. This has been shown experimentally in animals and also applies to man.
There is an interesting chapter on the pineal gland, the "parietal eye of insects," and an absorbing discussion on the partly beneficial, partly detrimental influence of artificial light.
The book has a most valuable bibliography and the translation by Hunter and Hildegarde Hannum is faultless.