The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1885-05-07
OUR EYESIGHT.
Diseases of the Eye Fast IncreasAh
Useful Suggestions.

Diseases of the Eye Fast Increasin
Useful Suggesiions'
At recent meeting of the Society OF
Arts in London Professor Carter dellV-
cred a lecture upon "The Influence OF
Civilization Upon Eyesight The result
of his observation was that civilization
developed many of the faculties of man
and caused others to become impaired.
Without doubt high civilization was hav-
ing injurious effect on the organ OF
sight. There were more diseased and
defective eyes in highly civilized coun-
tries than in those where the people had
not made very wide departure from
what has been called natural life. In
Germany very large proportion of the
people of both sexes and of all ages wore
spectacles. Many of the children in
Germany was much more common among
the higher classes who lived in cities
than among the peasants who inhabited
the rural districts. In that country there
was great alarm conc erning impaired
vision, and the government had ordered
an Investigation with view of ascertain
ing the cause and recommending rene
dies.
There are abundant evidences in Great
Britain that diseases of the eye were in
creasing very fast. Many volunteers were
rejected on account of defective sight.
The railway companies had been obliged
to examine candidates for managers of
trains, to ascertain if they were color
blind or near-sighted. In the higher
schools and colleges the number of stu
dents who were obliged to use glasses
was very large and apparently Increasing.
Even in the primary and grammar schools
large proportion of the pupils put on
spectacles before they commence to study
their lessons. Others were obliged to
hold their books close to their eyes when
they read, and to place their faces with
in few inches of their desks when they
were learning to write. Many children
could not engage in certain games and
sports on account of defective vision.
The class in Great Britain that had the
best eyes were the foresters and game
keepers in Scotland. Plowmen, shep-
herds and herdsmen also had excellent
sight. Sailors were generally very long
sighted, as well as clear sighted. Many
savages, however, had much more
acute vision than any class to
be found in the British islands. The
Zulus in South Africa could identify
persons so far off that Europeans could
only discern specks One Zulu informed
a newly arrived missionary that he saw
an old friend of his and his wife ap
preaching. He also stated that one was
riding and the other walking by the side
Of the horse The EnglishmaH by the
use of powerful> binocuIar glasses could
not identify the persons. In London
and othnr 1oruo oitiac oroat 1ronortinn
of the people had defective or impaired
vision. Many were color-blind, but a
much larger proportion were short
sighted Some were in constant danger
of being run over in the streets. They
could see comparatively few objects with
| the naked eye, passed their best friends
without recognizing them, could not
| read street signs, and depended Oh their
glasses to enable them to read and write
when they were. in rooms.
The lecturer was convinced that loca
ton and occupation exerted powerful
influence on the condition of the eye and
| the acuteness of vision The savage of
South Africa depended on his keenness
of sight for protection against his enc
mics and for food for his next meal.
The inhabitant of London look ed to the
|
and conducted his correspondence by
the aid of magnifyiug glasses. Some
| times he would not leave the city for
years, during which time he would never
look upon an object further off than
across the street. His eyes became i'm
paired for want of proper use.
existing evils, the lecturer thought that
| ho Nv,
calling attention to the importance of I'M
impaired sight. Children should be
taught that pleasure as well as prosper
ity depended very largely on good eyes.
They should be encouraged to use their
eyes in ways that would benefit them.
Games and sports that called for accurate
vision should be rendered popular. Many
athletic sports that were largely practiced
in England had produced a wonderful
effect in few years in making people
strong and vigorous. Life in the open
air, especially in the country, was fav-
orable to the development OF
acuteness of vision. Lesson books for
children should be printed in large, clear
| type. The letters given them to copy
while learning to write should be large
and plain. Young persons should be en-.
| cOufdSeO TO look at distant ODJeCtS ana
prohibited from reading in poorly lighted
apartments. They should be taught how
to use and not abuse their eyes. In cases
where the vision is becoming impaired,
an oculist should be consulted before
permanent injury has been effected.
In the course of the lecture attention
was called to very important matter.
1t was that involution as we'll as evolu
ton was going on all around us and with
us. Improvements in the eye doubtless
ly went on under favorable conditions
during many centuries. The perfect
eye, of which we have some specimens,
; has been evolved. 1t was certain that
; the process of involution was now going
on in many places and among some Of
the best races of the globe. Unless
measures ase taken to prevent it, the
time may come when certain nations
might be characterized by their poorly.
developed eyes. Impaired vision would
following the laws of heredity, bt
stamped on whole families, and perhaps
on entire communicate Chicago Times
, How an Insect Breathes.
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