Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 17.djvu/87

* RETIF DE LA BRETONNE. 71 RETREAT. perverti (1775) made him famous and sought by distinguislied men. Of his other writings the Monsieur Nicolas and the 42 volumes of Les conUuiimraiDCi (17S0-S5) are most note- worthy. The novels are declamatory and rlietorical, but they oH'or the first serious treatment of the petty bourgeois in fiction. A fair idea of his maimer and merits may be ob- tained from Assezat's selection (3 vols., Paris, 187.5). RETIMO, ra'tu-mo. A seaport town of the island of Crete, on the north coast, 38 miles west of Candia (Map: Greece, F 6). Population, in ISIOO. 0311. RETINA. See Eve. RETINITIS (IS'eo-Lat., from retina, so called because like fine network, from Lat. rcte, net). Infiammations of the retina are primary or secondary to inflammation of other parts of the eye. Both eyes are usually affected. Sight is impaired, the size or form of objects seems al- tered, the field of vision is contracted ; there is a feeling of discomfort in the eyes and at times dread of light. The ophthalmoscope shows a fundus liazy from swelling, tortuous, and dilated veins, a disk with indistinct margins, sometimes iiemorrhages. Recovery may be complete or par- tial. Atrophy of the retina and the optic disk may result in' loss of sight partially or completely. Treatment includes absolute rest of the eyes with protection from light, use of atropine locally, and constitutional treatment of the cause of the retinitis. This depends upon the variety. Simple retinitis may result from overuse of the eyes in any Avay or may be the beginning of other forms. .U'biniiiiixrie retinitis, which occurs during nephritis, is characterized by the presence in the retina, in addition to hemorrhages, of white spots. At the macula lutea these are often ar- ranged in a star-like form. Treatment is that of the kidney disease. Diabetic retinitis presents a ]3icture similar to the preceding form, but with the white spots arranged ir- regularly around the macula, and the treatment is directed to the cause. Si/philitie retinitis oc- curs in the hereditary form and in the secondary stage of acquired syphilis. The fundus is hazy, thedisk red and hazy; there are scattered grayish and white spots, often with pigmented borders, especially near the macula, and white marks along the vessels. The course is slow, relapses frequent, and though early and thorough treat- ment of the constitutional disease gives good results, there is likely to be some permanent diminution of vision. Hemorrhagie retinitis, as its name indicates, is characterized by the occur- rence of numerous hemorrhages. It occurs in persons with diseases of the arteries and heart, and frequently precedes cerebral liemorrhage. Treatment of the arterial disease is very impor- tant. Leuktrmic retinitis causes pallor of the disk with white and yellow spots, sometimes with a pink border, and hemorrhage areas. RETINOSPORA. A tree. See Cypress. RETIREMENT (from retire, from OF., Fr. rctirer. to draw Ijack, from re-, back -f tirer, to draw, from ML. tirare, to draw). A statutory provision or age limit by which officers in the military or naval services cease from active duties, and are placed on the retired list. In the United States Army the compulsory age limit is sixty-four, liut the President mnv retirn an officer at sixty-two. In the I'niteil States Navy the retiring ago is sixty-two years, .rniy repiln- tions provide that when an olTicer becomes dis- abled or unlilted for the performance of duty by reason of wounds, sickness, or improper habits, a retiring board will convene and actinn be taken according to the verdict. OHiiers ou the retired list are permitted to wear the uniform of their actual or highest brevet rank when retired, ex- cept that the number or insignia of the regiment, corps, or department will not be worn. Ketircd ollicers receive 75 per cent, of pay (salary and in- crease) of their rank. A limited number may be assigned at their request to duty with full pay to militia or .schools as instructors, or in time of war to other duty. In the l!ritisli .riny ollicers are permitted to retire voluntarily with gratuities or i)ensions, and are also obliged to retire accord- ing to age limit (which varies according to rank held), or after a period of non-employment, on half pay. Regulations similar in cU'ect obtain in all countries. RETORSION (ML. retorsio, retortio, a bend- ing or twisting back, from Lat. rctorqnrrc. to bend or twist back, from re-, back again, anew -|- torqmre, to tAvist). A term of international law signifying an act of retaliation by one nation against another. Unlike reprisal (q.v.), it is not a sullicient justification for war, but is rather a political measure intended to cowipel one nation to accord equality of treatment to the subjects of the other residing within its jurisdic- tion. Thus, where one tuition im]ioses restrictions upon aliens residing within its territory, as by unequal taxes, or by dill'erential import duties, or fails to observe' tlio rules of international comity, as by refusing to grant the accustomed privileges to' ambassadors and other diplomatic agents, the aggrieved nation is justified in apply- ing the same kind of treatment to the offending nation or its .subjects. The increasing commer- cial relations of modern States have greatly ex- tended the field in which the principle of retorsion may be applied, and it is now most fre- quentlv resorted to by those nations which depend largely upon tariffs or import duties for their revenue. RETREAT (OF. retrcte, rctraicte, Fr. re- trriite, from ML. rctrneta. retreat, from Lat. retrahcre, to draw back, from re-, back again, J^„p.^y -(- trahere, to draw). In military tactics and strategv, a retirement before, or in the face of, an eneniy. It is one of the most difficult as well as important manieuvres of modern war- fare. The most important feature of tlu' retreat, and the one on which rests its ultimate success, is the rear guard (q.v.). In barrack, army post, or camp life and routine in the L'nited States Army, the l)U"le call 'retreat' signifies .sunset, and is plaved bv the field music (See BuOLE ANn Tni mp- ET C.M.i.s.) There is usually a parade or roll-cnil at that hour known as the evening parade, at which time extra dutv details, guards or pickets, are paraded and go on duty. The ceremony of the re- treat is observed throughout the armies of the world and is usuallv accompanied by gun fire and the lowering of the national color, which is hoisted again at reveille (q.v.). RETREAT. A term used in the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches to designate a time of temporary retirement from active life