Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1855-05-24
THE CARE OF THE EYES.

Until one begins to feel the effect of impair
ed vision, he can hardly estimate the value of
eye-sight, and consequently, from ignorance or
carelessness, he is apt to neglect few simple
precautions, by the observance of which his
sight might be preserved We are aware that
the columns of newspaper do not afford the
space, nor is an editor qualified to treat scient-
fcally of the injuries which accrue to the or
gans of vision; but certainly the knights of the
sanctum ought to have some practical expert
ence upon artificial light, more of which they
consume than falls 70 the lot of other men.
Let us then give our readers few hints
upon the preservation of sight, which We de-
duce from our own experience, and if we are
incorrect, our medical friends, and particular
ly opticians, are welcome to our columns, to
correct our errors. We are not about to in
terfere with those who have resorted to specta.
cles, for the optician alone can benefit them;
but there are multitudes, who, perhaps, ought
to wear spectacles, but will not, either from
their inconvenience or from an idea that there
by they confess that time has taken too strong
hold upon them. Such ask, whether they can
see better than they now do without the use
of glasses? To the most of these we answer,
yes-provided you will follow these simple di.
rections. First, never use writing desk or
table with your face towards a window. In
such case the rays of light come directly upon
the pupil of the eyes, and causing an unnatur-
al and forced contraction thereof, soon per.
manently Injuries the. sight. Next-when your
table or desk is near a window, sit so that your
face turns from not towards the window, while
you are writing. If your face is towards the
window, the oblique rays strike your eye, in
jure it nearly as much as the direct rays when
you sit in front of the window. 1t is best al
ways to sit or stand while reading or writing
with the window behind you; and next TO that
with the light coming over your left (side--
then the light illumines the paper or book and
does not shine abruptly upon the eye-balI.
The same remarks are applicable to artificial
light. We are often asked what is the best
light; gas, candles, oil or camphene Our an
swer is, it is immaterial which, provided the
light of either be strong enough and do not
flicker. a gas fish tail burner should never
be used for reading or writing, because there
is constant oscillation or fickering of the
fame. Candles, unless they have self-consum-
ing wicks which do not require snufing, should
not be used. We need scarcely say that oil
wicks which crust over and thus diminish the
light, are good for nothing; and the same is
true of compounds of the nature of camphene,
unless the wicks are properly trimmed of all
their gumary deposite after standing twenty
four hours.
But whatever the artificial light used, let it
strike the paper or book which you are using,
whenever You can, from over the left should.
er. This can always be done with gas, for that
light is strong enough, and so is the light from
camphene, oil, &C., provided it comes through
a circular burner like the argand. But the
light, whatever it be, should always be protect
ed from the air in the room by a glass Chin
ney, SO that the light may he steady.-Bosto's
Herald.