, 1877-12-09
OUR EYESIGHT.

Ao~ the Eyes of tho Young Are Damaxed
at School and at Home.
| The Popular Science Monthly SAYS:
assuming the consideration OF near sight, nc
proceed to suggest some Of its principal causes,
as follows: ~~'
l. Too early nsr By school children Of book..
states, and writing paper, or COPY books, when
oiackhoards and models would be- better, Trna
anu script letters and figures, aud their primary
combinations, Mt least, should never be tauoht
from books, but from large and perfectly form
ed models, printed On cards and hung on tha
"all. When the ere aud tho memory aro
sainclently trained to easily recognize and
! name each letter and figure at SIGHT, and WHEN
some knowledge has been gained OF the power
o1 'etters and figures in combination, then the
same losms in books will DC at once familiar "a
olo acoualntanecs, sud may be studied without
stunning the slght. To train tho hand without
st3aan1ny the sight presents q greater practical
ol1hculty. II the large schools, OF course, a1l
the children cannot 60 to the blackboard But
considerable pratticc in drawing large lines
and simple objects On goot-sized states. in 4
sort Of free-hand style. should prccede thu
formation Of letters and figures, and when these
are begun they should be made OF generous sizc-
4 correct position meanwhile should be au iu,-
ek;t'' Petat.Ve requirement, AID qutil It becomes
f@N0AA
pe o. secondary Importance. Hard slate pencils
ana greasy slate surface should not b. ner-
iittea both should be subject to Systematic
!: Ignorance or laxity on the part Of nare,ta
aua primary teachers, in permitting faulty posi-
lions OF head, body, and book during rcadincr
STUDY, and writing; and in not seeking eorIr to
secure the Intelligent cooperation Of the pupil
struction, O''7>'A ~
y. = prolonged and steady looking at m
OBJECT or at objects near the eye, though at
pf9per p distance without rest or frequent change
% u lug VISUAL tocus, as in long and absorbed
novel reading, intense study, or persistrnt
dulgence in needIewortS.
=, !. lhe practice Of reading or otherwise us|nr
Tue sight Ut too short range. THIS results ia
. gart .!om insufficient light, or from its faulty
direction, SO that thu hand or BODY Throws 4
snaanW On The pare; or so that tue direct roys
tall upon the eve, causing undue CONTRACTION ~
the pupil, while the page is in the shadow, It
results also from improperly graded desks,
from small and poor type, and inferior printing
ins, aud from faulty color and quality OF print
ing paper; also, from pale wiring ink-pa}n
Sheh used-auu from tho substitution Of the
!eao Eau pencil 1of tne pcn, especially in the eveu-
j. 4 prone OF forward position OF the heal
'oo long maintained, or frequently repeated.
aud becoming habit. This results from read
hs or studying with books in the lap AMI IRON,
NE use OF desks not graded to the height vi the
>np1l. Dr. Howe reports pnDis varying eignteeu
nehes in height seated at the same desks.
The distance Of the eye from the page sbuulI
sot be less rhan twelve no7 more than eighteen
ncllcs. Having the desks set too far from tha
eats also induces these tlulty positions. Tho
ront OF tue desks should overlap the seat one
II two inches. ,. =: h.: =
Dondrrs says. '*In The hygiene otmyot,a Tie
cry first point IS to guard, :gainst working in,
shopping posltiot." He fayors birh, tslonin~
cslss, and lrdicatcs ''rertiiinear drawing on 2
at surface, 4: class OF work which is especial
Objectionable
t. Since vitiatcd atmosphere is q frequent
allure OF the school-roon, it may not be
Miss to add here that the effect OF bad mir
indirectly to injurc, 1t not to destroy, tie
ght.
=. Allowing sun glare on the page while
auing, Also transitions from cloud shatlo,y To
nshinc.
s. Keaaing and studying in railroad cars
known to be fruitful source Of injury.
]. But Insufficient 1ight perhaps more than
) other cause, produces disease of the eve
Il arrangement If the vision. This ia nat
Mined to the schools. Sadly frequent ~ II
(ound to be there, It Is believed to be vet
ener Illustrated ut i1omc, both bv t!ayfight
] iii the evening, in preparation for the school
Z otherwise. Artificial illumination is fu,,ity
best; bnt even in the most t1vored homes.
elder group is apt to monopolize the shaded
,p-ligft or student-lamp, whilc the schoolboy
II his textbooks Is found somewhere il TIC
ef circle.