Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-11-17
Color Kindness in DyeIng.

While tine attention of scientific experts
is being called to this subject, in reference
to railroad employees and all persons con-
cerned in the Distinguishing of colored
lights and signals. as connected with the
necessary precaution in the protection of
human life in travelling, it might not be
deemed an undesirable opportunity for us
to call the attention of our special ccm-
munity to the immediate bearing which
this effectiveness of vision has on operative
dyers. 1t will readily be granted that no
artisan has more necessity for extreme
nicely of occular discernment in shades of
color than the one whose whole occupation
Is among them; and that on the critical
truthfulness of his vision depends the accu-
rate production and reproduction of tints,
which to fail in would cost serious sums
to his employer. Color blindness. in the
full meaning of the term, Is not likely TO
exist among dyers. but it is no; only likely,
but very possible to produce at least some
of the effects by the changing of colors;
that is to say, the workman who has his
eyes engaged constantly on a red, for in
stance, if put on to a green may find him
self in trouble, and so on through various
colors. Now, as to tint shades, is it not
very evident that the impression received
on the eye by looking on one tint continu
ally will incapacitate the sight for the
perception of that color2-and yet extreme
accuracy is demanded. Let dyer work
ing on red for some time have his attention
turned To blue, and will he not at first
see purplel Most certainly, because the
visual rays are fraught with red, and when
brought to bear upon the blue, blend with
it, at first strongly, and gradually there
after. All have not been gifted alike; it
is evident that with some workmen this
affection may be still more injurious than
with oilers Those of bilious tempera-
ment are subject to a yellowish influence
on the vision, which must of necessity
prove fatal to the truth of observation in
color There is no sense more exquisitely
delicate than that of sight, and there is no
man more dependent on its ability than
the dyer. In taking up the trade Of dye
ing the early learner knows nothing of the
nature OF his sight, but goes st ii as though
it were blowing. or any other Calling In
which the sensitiveness of the eye is net
called into requisition at all. But how i'm
portaut is the constitution of the eye to
/ him who is engaged in a study of colors
which must be carried to the most minute
perfection. Now, how necessary is ii that
an examination by qualified expert should
decide on the healthy state of the eye be-
fore the trade is chosen. And still fur
ther, how advisable is it that occasional
examination should be made by doctor
of the eyes of every workman i'll the dye
house, to decide whether there is any de-
crease of visionary power, and to prescribe
/ the fitting treatment if there is. Every
employer should consider this matter, and
see If his interest is not concerned in il (;
for the health of the sight of good, faith
full man is as much their concern as the
bodily health is his. While on this sub
ject We may as well suggest the very SIM
pie practice to testers of colors of having a
purely white material as plain on which
to rest the sight when alternately viewing
colors by this means the eye is enabled To
take in the succeeding tint without any in
] fluence from the former one.