Ophthalmologist Nathaniel L. MacBride discusses the various maladies of the eye - first published in 1897, this book offers insight into the history of ophthalmology and eye medicine. Beginning with an anatomical discussion of the cornea, iris and conjunctiva, the author goes on to discuss the various ailments afflicting the eye, such as glaucoma and conjunctivitis. The second part of the book details the physics of eyesight, and how one can discern disturbances to the eye's function, such as the appearance of cataracts. As this book dates to the late 19th century, the treatments described have long been obsoleted. The application of cocaine solution upon the eye for instance has no place in modern ophthalmology. The surgical techniques of the time were conducted manually and with metallic instruments; such methods are outdated in the modern day.

Matter and Memory is a book of cognitive philosophy by Henri Bergson which discusses the classic problem of how the human mind and its memories are related to the spirit. Bergson uses the phenomena of memory to construct arguments in favor of the spirit's existence. The various types of memory, and how they are related to the physical world, are discussed. Bergson analyses how memories are formed, what bearing they have on the world, and how they ultimately come to constitute their possessor's innate spirit. This book was originally written by Bergson in response to an essay by Th odule Ribot, who held that all memory could be traced back to the brain's nervous system. Thus, the essence of human memory could be reduced to mere matter, rather than containing a higher, spiritual element. Bergson fervently disagreed with this opinion, and strove to write this thesis as a counter to the notion that the spirit can be reduced to only molecular activity.