The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-03-25
Advice on ShOrt-Sightedness.

ShOrt-sightedness is that state of vision
in which person can see objects perfect
ly, only when they are at a very short dis
tance from the eyes; nine inches or less,
being the greatest distance at which OBJ
jects can be plainly seen.
Near-sighted persons are very apt to
stoop while engaged in study. To avoid
a practice so injurious to the figure and
health, they should use a high desk when
reading or writing; and if glasses are in
dispensable, such only should be used as
just suffice to enable the parties to pursue
their occupations st the ordinary reading
distance, that of fourteen inches Small
type, sketchings, microscopical pursuits
and objects requiring close inspection
should be avoided; the individual should
overcome his natural tendency to
cramped hand, and write boldly and free
"; and be the pursuit what it may, in
which he is engaged, the greatest possible
distance should be maintained between
his eyes and the object
In all cases of myOpia, or short-sighted-
ness, and especially in early life, or when
the affection is just commencing, it is
highly important that any tendency to an
Over-supply to the eyes should be counter
acted by a proper amount Of bodily exer-
else, and every opportunity should be
embracedsfor exercising the eyes on dis
tant objects. Near-sight is comparatively
rare IN persons engaged in agricultural
pursuits, and is almost unknown among
those uncivilized nations whose eyes are
constantly practised in nomadic warfare
or the chase.
Near-sight may be acquired in early
youth by the habit common to infants of
approaching their eyes very close to any
object on which their attention may hap
pen to be engaged Observe a group of
children learning to write or draw, almost
all their faces sideways and their tongues
in one corner of their mouths, nearly
touching with their cheeks the paper or
slate on which they are labOriOusly &C.
complishing their task. Many infants
have been rendered short-sighted, and
many have acquired SQuints, from con-
stantly playing with toys; the visual
axis converges when objects are held near
the eyes, frequent repetition of this may
end in strabismus. And 1 may here re-
mark that strict attention should be paid
to the position of an infants sleeping cot,
and to the attitude in which it is placed in
lis nurses arms. The eyes of the infant
ever seeks the light, and many an unsight-
ly cast has been entailed on a child by its
being always placed with one and the
same side to a candle or window. The
light in the nursery should not be too
much on one side of the cradle, nor should
candle or lamp, in the evening, be so
placed that the eyes of the child are dis
torted when looking at it. There is sound
judgment in printing children's books IN
good bold type, in encouraging them to
observe distant objects, and in inviting
them to describe what they see In land
scapes.
Near-Sighted children are often fond of
books, and love to pore over some favorite
story, in quiet corner, for hours together
They should be watched, and compelled
to hold their heads ten or twelve inches
from the page, and the same in the school
room. Such children are obliged. during
music lessons to lean forward in a very
unseemly manner, to distinguish the notes.
To obyiate this, a sliding bookstand should
be attached to the piano, and should be
drawn forward when the child is practis-
ing. AS, however, some musical instru-
ments will not admit of such an arrange
ment, spectacles of low power may be
used at that time and that time only and
the lesson should not exceed half an hour,
without pause of a few minutes for the
eyes to rest.
Insufficiency of light in rooms where
children receive instruction, or where
they are taught mechanical work, is q
cause of near-sight, and, occasionally, even
more serious mischief. Care should,
therefore, be taken that school and work
ing rooms should be properly and sufi-
GENTLY lighted.-PailLips Opthalmic Sur
ne1M