Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-08-09
THE Ely ES.

THE EYES.
Many Of the diseases to which the eyes are
liable can only be properly treated by an cXpir-
cuced oculist, for they are too delicate a struc-
ture and too necessary for our comfort to be
,rihed with We would, therefore, advise all
persons who have the slightest reason to sus.
icct that anything is seriously wrong to apply at
once tor competent medical advice. At the
same time. We may observe that there are many
>ightcr affections which admit of very simple
remedies, and moreover, there is a course of
treatment which, it pursued carefully, will tend
much to keep the eyes in a good and healthy
condition. When they are weakened or dis
trc>Scd by over eXertlon, rest is absolutely ne
cc>sary for them, and few remedies will be
found more efectual than bathing them every
morning with fresh spring water, in which has
been placed just sufficient brandy to make the
mixture cause slight stingiDg sensation when
applied. This weak brandy-and- water lotion
may be kept ready mixed, 10 a bottle. and used
every morning. Those who object to the smell
of brandy, as many persons do, at any rate so
early in the day, may try for a time vinegar and
water, but brandy is decidedly the best. As it
frequently happens, from some unexplained
reason, that the remedy that suits one person
may not suit another, we add the following re-
cipes, which are all useful in cases Of over
strained sight: !. Mix one-half drachm Of
acetate ofzinc with sixteen ounces OF water;
dip piece OF soft rag or sponge into this TO-
il,n. and touch the eyes lightly with it. ?.
Mix one drachm of goulard water, sixty drops
of audanum and one half pint Of rose water.
> Mix together three tablespoonfuls of cold
spring water four drops Of gOulard extract,
two drops of laudanum and fifteen drops of
brandy, keep this in bottle, aud sponge the
eyes two or three times day with it. This
last remedy will be found exceedingly useful if
the eyes are sore as we'll as weak.
Prevention in all cases is better than cure,
and it is most undoubtedly true that little
care would prevent many of the evils to which
the eyes are liable. Notwithstanding they are
so useful, and SO great source of beauty that
too great care cannot be taken to preserve
them. it is notorious that they are by all per-
sous very much abused. The practice of read
ing aud writing by freight, or other imperfect
light SO generally adopted by young people,
cannot be too strongly condemned Firellght
is especially Injurious, for the pupils OF the
eyes are not only unduly dilated, but at the
same time they are exposed to greater degree
of heat than they are able to bear. We must
remember however, that light may be too
strong as well as too dim and that the oppo-
site extremes produce the same effect of weak.
ness and injury. Those who are careful of
their eyes will never use table or desk with
their full face to the window, for the rays of
light falling directly upon the pupils, cause 10
this case forced contraction of them, and a
forced expansion Of the iris producing injury
to both. The best possible position for the
preservation of sight is to sit with our backs to
the window, or when this is impractcable, to
have the window on one side OF US. This may
he said to be what is termed sitting in one own
light but If the room is sufficiently lighted,
it is the best possible position for the presarva-
tion of sight. Few things arc worse than to
sit at a south window in the full glare of the
sunshine a steady north light should always
be sought for by those who are occupied many
hours In reading, working and writing: With
one more word Of advice, and few remarks
upon eyelashes, we must bring this paper to a
close. Our advice is most important and
those who will follow it in youth will save
themselves from much trouble in advancing
years. We commen it to the notice of all
cur readers. 1t is simple, but as a. preventive
it is invaluable. When in good health never
use hot, or even warm water to the eyes
Sponge them we'll every morning, and every
night also, if you do not mind the trouble, with
cold spring water. Sponge both eyes, and
all around the temples we'll for some few min
utcs and all the time rejoice in the knowledge
that you are doing the best possible thing for
the preservation of your ght This is no mere
theory, for we have tried it ourselves. After
the constant use of warm water tor several
years, we have returned during the last twelve
months to sponging with cold water with ln-
calculabe benefit With regard to eyelaShes,
it does not appear that in this country much
care is bestowed upon them, though they are
capable of cultivation, and certainty they assist
materially in the Dcrtcctiou of female beauty;
Tor there is something exceedingly attractive III
long, glossy eyelasheS In the East the train
ing of these appendages constitutes one OF the
peculiar cares of the toilet. The Circassan
ladies' are especially celebrated for the beauty
of their eyelashes, and no ordinary attention is
bestowed upon them. To promote their growth
they are cut occasionally; some travellers tell us
as often as ten or twelve times in the course of
a year, aud that their brilliancy is increased by
the use of various cosmetics; OF course 1t is only
the extreme points of the eyelashes that are
cut, and the operation is one of such extreme
decacy that we must recommend the greatest
care in epdeavoring to put 1t into execution:
No doubt something of the sort is needed, apd
the neglect of it may possibly account for the
fact that 10 this country the eyelasheS are sell
dom preserved in their beauty beyond the age
of thirty years. After this it is generally ad-
mitrcd that they begin to decline; and if exam,
iped by means Of the microscope 1t will be found
that the extremtics of all the hairs are split,
which is in itself sufficient indication that they
have been neglected, and that such an opera
ton as cutting the ends is not uucallcd tor. lhe
habit of spongipg with cold spring water, which
we have so strongly recommended for the eyes,
will be found equally beneficial for the eyelashes.
CrI1,E ny (,In,y n,v pAyEpS