The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1854-10-24
PreseIrYe ti,e Eye.sisLt.

Is w e OIletl HeaT IL ilsSei -
notwithstanding its numerous benefits, has ITS
counterbaancing disadvantages: and, in proof
of this, the presumed decline Of the Sderns,
in SIZE, strength, and physical superiority gen.
orally, is adduced. Among other dec larations
ofthis kind, the injured eye-sigllt OF civilized
persons, especially Of those living in cities, is
brought forward. 4, =. - 3s /:
But, if all other descriptions, Of physical de:
tefioration owe their origin, as We have built:
tie doubt they do,j to Il revolution OF the laws
of nature, as is the case in this instance, tEen
the fault should be laid to the charge, not of a
too perfect utilization, ,but of an innaatnfe one.
For we think it can be shown ineontestilly
that impaired eye-sight is the consequences Of
excessive or improper use of the eye, either IN
the victim or in his ancestry. Ifali the short
sighted, weak:sigbted, and imperfectly sighted
persons now alive could be catalogued, and
their habits and those of ftheirprogenit thor
:oughly studied, it would be found, We boldly
affirm, that their defective vision was distinctly
traceable to+the ignorance, scarelessness, or
wanton abuse Of the eye, by themselves or
their forefathers. s. 8, d:
/. The most ordinary canse ofihJured .eye;sight
is using the eye in an:impro oper light: The
white light of "a cloldless dayise that designed
by nature for mans use. Butthis light must
not be too brilliant. Reflected from sandy
plains or from snow, this light produces sop;
thalmia, and reflected from red brick wallssit
is also injurious, though in a less degree; while
when reflected from green woods or fields, or
even from brown ploughed earth, tbs not hurt.
full at al ,asthe experienceof every manproves,
to say nothing ofthe superior eye.sighto of far.
mers. Nature, by clothing the habitable parts
ofthe earth with verdlre, offers to US guide
as to how we should act in this matter. 1.-THE
light of the day is too brilliant, we should tenn
per it with green. If on the contrary, it is dull,
we should increase its powers by the employ:
meut of proper colors But the worst daylight
is nearly always better than candleligbt, lamp
light or gaslight. All artifciallight is too yell
low, and in time will injure the eye. Persons
who read or write much at night, must expect
to have bad eye sight, for the strongest eyes
will succunb at last to the.yellow rays of gas,
lamp or candle. The morning is the best time
to use the eye, both because the light is then
generally the best and because the orb is fresh reshl
from the repose Of the night. ,.s.z:...-
When reading or writing is unavoidable at
night, the light should fall across the shoulder,
and from the left. TO read or write with a
lalnp in trout. algays strains the eve: TO hold
| the book close to the eye, or to bend down
close to the paper, tends to produce short sight
edness; and as most professional men, literary
men, and even merchants and clerks do this,
hence their frequent short-sightedness and that
of their progeny. The improper employment
of glasses is fertile cause of impaired eye
sight. spectacles, or eyeglasses which are
not exactly suitable, are an injury rather than
benefit. Their use should be put off, more
over, as long as possible. They are like erutch'
es, which once introduced, become indispe,'sa.
Bile ever after. All sudden transitions from
light to darkness, or from obscurity to light,
are re hurtful to the eyes. Small print in read
ing, or too fine hand in writing, should be
avoided. By observing the laws of nature, the
eye-sight can be preserved to late period of
lite. But by disregardiug these laws, not only
adults impair their own eye.sight, but they hand
down to their children imperfectvision, and oc.
casionally even total blindness. We repeat,
that it is not the fault of civilization, but OF
ourselves, if we have worse eye-sight than saw
age people, Ledger.