Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1871-08-04
Alisecllamu.
Rules for Preserving the Sight.


The preservation of the sight is an oh
ject of SO much Importance to every in
dividual whatever may be his profession
or rank in society, that we have though
a few hints in relation to this subjec
might be productive of beneficial effects
1t is we'll known to the physician tina
nothing more certainly impairs the sens
of vision than debauchery and excess o
every kind. The individual therefore
who would preserve his sight unimpaireC
must avoid carefully every species Of in
temperance. This is an all-importan
rule, neglect of which will render every
other object of little avail.
A long continuance in absolute dark
ness, or frequent and protracted exposure
to blaze of light equally Injuries the
sense of vision.
Persons who live almost constantly in
dark caverns or chambers, workers in
mines, and prisoners who have been long
confined in gloomy dungeons, become in
capable of seeing objects distinctly ex-
cepting in a deep shade, or in the dusk
of the evening. While on the other
hand, in various parts of the world, in
which the light is constantly reflected
from soil of dazzling whiteness, or from
mountains and plains covered with per-
petual snow, the sight of the inhabitants
is perfect only in broad daylight, or at
noon.
Those also, who are much exposed to
bright fires, as blacksmiths, glassmen,
forgers and others engaged in similar
employments are most subject to loss of
sight from cataract.
All brilliantly Illuminated apartments
have similar prejudicial effect upon
the eyes, though undoubtedly, not to the
same extent. As a general rule, there
fore, the eye should never be permitted
to dwell on brilliant or glaring objects
for any length of time. Hence in apart
ments only moderate degree of light
should be admitted and 1t would be of
considerable advantage, particularly to
those whose eyes are already wea6, if III
place of pure deep red color for the
walls, curtains and other furniture of
our rooms, some shade of green were to
be adopted
Reading or writing in the dusk of
evening, or by candle-light should be
avoided. The frivolous attention of a
quarter Of an hour at the decline of day
has deprived numbers of the perfect ard
comfortable use of their eyes for many
years; the mischief is effected impercep-
tibly, the consequences are often irrepar-
able.
There is nothing which preserves the
sight longer, than always using, in read
ing, writing, sewing and every other oc-
cupation in which the eyes are constantly
exercised, that moderate degree of light
which is best suited to them too little
strains them, too great a quantity daz-
zles and confounds them. The eyes are
less affected, however by deficiency of
light than by the excess of it. The for
mer seldom does much, if any harm, un-
less the eyes are strained by efforts to
view objects to which the degree of light
is inade4uate-but too great quantity
has, by its own power, destroyed the
sight.
The long-sighted should accustom
themselves to read with rather less light,
and with the book somewhat nearer to
the eye than they ordinarily desire
while those that are short-sighted should
on the contrary, use themselves to read
with the book as far off as possible. BY
these means, both may improve and
strengthen their vision, whereas contra
ry course will increase its natural i'm
PROJECTIONS.
Bathing the eyes daily in cold or tepid
water tends to preserve the integrity OF
their functions /; provided, however, the
individual does not Immediately after
such bathing enter warm room, or un.
necessarily exert his sight.