Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1878-10-17
THE HERALD.
The Eyes.

The Eyes.
The Creator made our eyes in such
a way that they would retain their
proper strength beyond the period of
middle life. But often they are so a.
bused in various ways that they are,
more or less, defective in their fupc-
lions. Few parents are aware how
easily these means of vision are in.
lured in early life. Visit our schools
or colleges and observe how many
pupils have defects of sight, how
many are compelled to use spectacles
in viewing objects not very distant.
Nearsightedness is the most common
weakness. The eyes of the ambitious
and very studious are more apt to
suffer than those of the INDECENT an
lazy. The cause is plain. Too much
using OF the eyes, habitually holding
the book quite near them, gradually
induces this defect of sight. Over
use weakens them. Continued over
use induces some disease, from which
they are not readily relieved nor fully
cured. Our observation isthat GER
tain errors are to be avoided in early
life, or defective sight will inevitably
occur-and that certain principles are
to be enforced in youth if we wish to
secure good and strong eyes in the
mature and active period of life.
Let us consider, first, what causes of
defective vision we should avoid, and
then secondly how we may preserve
our sight. 1t has been suggested.
| and we think with truth, that piano
playing when the pupils are young,
induces large amount of short-sight-
edness. The nerve force must neces,
sari'y be divided. A part must be
given to fixing the sight upon the
notes and another upon the training
of the fingers and a third part usdS
the mind bestowed upon the music.
So that the nerve-force that must be
expended in every effort of the will,
in every activity of the mind, in every
action of any organ is divided. We
cannot but feel that many children
have their health seriously impaired
by too long concentration of the mind
in piano playing and that after all the
toll, the expenditure of patience, time
and money, the acquisition is ordina-
rily very small and uot worth the loss
incurred of health and vision.
Long concentration of the mental
powers on any obiecls in the forma-
tive period of life is harmful, and
often permanently so. In the general
feebleness it produces, every organ
suffers. Indigestion and want of pro.
per nourishment may and does induce
weakness of the eyes, so that weak
eyes demand attention to the general
health and the proper treatment of
their weakness, is, good, nutritious
diet, fresh air, moderate exercise, a.
musements and cheerfulness and a
bundant and refreshing sleep. And
so 1T follows, that whatever course of
treatment increases the nerve.force
Increases the strength of vision.
Those whose eyes are weak and pain
tul must let them rest and recover
tueir nerVe-IOfce.
Avoid using the eyes when weak
or painful or the sight is blurred and |
indistinct.
Avoid facing the light from any
source, the sun, gas or candle.
Avoid using the eyes when the |
daylight is nearly gone, and avoid !
using them of twilight.
Avoid viewing minute objects for |
any length of time. Examining mi |
mute objects often will necessarily |
shorten tho length of vision. This |
bad result can be corrected oafy bv |
looking at distant objects for an equal |
period of time. Avoid books printed
in small type.
Avoid sewing of fine character.
Our eyes are often made weak by
excessive use, by bad habits and hard
work of mind or body. Avoid bright
gas-light and brilliant reflections of
sunlight.
Avoid vitiated air and food not cas-
lily digested.
The conditions necessary to pre-
serve our sight are that we have light
sufficient to give us clear vision.
The eyes should rest when indicating
any tendency to weakness or pain.
The amount of light we need in read
ing should come from some source
higher than our eyes and pass to our
book or work from the rear, or if this
cannot be, have a shade so LARGE 80
to prevent light entering directly in. |
to our eyes. Avoid reading in feeble
ness or convalescence. The muscles
OF the eyes are weak and easily fa-
tigued. Using them in their weak
state may induce serious diseases.
The muscles of the eyes ia illness
are more delicate than those of the
limbs, so we should use the muscles
OF the legs and arms and find them
gaining strength and firmness before
we much use the muscles of the eve
Light should never shine directly
into the eyes. No zone should use the
eyes when lying down. 1t strains
the eyes. No one should use the ewes
when the system is enfeebled by dis
ease. The strength of the eyes de-
ponds upon the general health. Avoid
reading and writing in railroad cars,
when the motion is so great that we
cannot keep steady focus for the
sight. We acquire the lateral motion
OF the cars SO that the distance and |
position of the letters is constantly
changing. This constant changing
strains and harms the eyes.
1t Is wise to avoid spectaclcs long
as may be, but by persons, young or
old who experience an increasing
dlmness of vision in looking at distant |
objects, glasses may be needed or if an
uneasy sensation of the eyes..is felt on
looking at near objects with less
clearness of vision than in former
times consult on. oceulst.
M L. l.