Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1888-07-26
TAKE CARE OF YOUR EYES
GOOD ADVICE GIVEN BY A NEW
YORK OCUlIST.

Perfect Eye-How the Eyes Should B.
Looked After-Bathing the Eyes-Con
tagious Diseases.
1t seldom happens that New Yorl
street car makes trip from it's stable tc
the terminus Of it's route without carry
ing at least one person under 40 years OF
age who wears glasses at least when he
reads. This will give the uninitiated
some idea of the prevalence of impaired
eyesight. In cafe near Madison square
the other evening reporter counted eight
spectacled young men out of twelve sit
ting at five tables in one end of the room.
With view of learning the cause of this
widespread weakness in the visual organs
of the young men of this generation, the
reporter sought Dr.. George S. Norton, of
the New York Ophthalmic college, a well
known authority upon that subject of
| medical practice.
1T is rare that specialist finds per-
| feet eye," he said I'm nearly every in
stance some defect is found. The most
| common complaints are myopia and hyper
mytropia, or near and far sightedness, as
they are commonly called. The former is
increasing, but the latter is not, although
the latter is far more prevalent Just at
present. The care of the ewes is far more
important than most men realize. The
improper use of eyes which are weak re-
suits in variety of complaints. 1t often
causes headaches, depression and some
times nervous prostration. These can
generally be remedied if not cured by the
use of glasses. In the purchase of glasses
the sufferer cannot be too careful The
use OF glasses that are improperly ad-
justed to the eye is oftentimes more in
furious than helpful Another common
complaint is called astigmatism, which
consists Of the irregular curvature of the
cornea- In such cases one part of the eye
may be myopic while the other is hyper
mytropic. To avoid this, glasses must be
used with lenses specially ground for the
purpose.
BITS OF GOOD ADVICE
How should the eyes be taken care of"
THAT depends entirely upon circum-
stances. Each mans eyes differ from
those of his fellow. No two pairs are
alike. Here are few simple directions
in cases of accident which would be well
follow When a cinder or any foreign
substance gets into the eye. never rub the
eye Wait moment, then gently open
and close the lid; the tears which follow
this operation will usually wash out the in
truding substance. However, should it
refuse to go, turn up the lid under which
the substance is and remove it with soft
handkerchief If the substance becomes
imbedded in the corner, or eyeban, go to
a physician Immediately In bathing the
eyes it makes no material difference, as
has been alleged. whether they are rubbed
toward the nose or from it. 1t is iniu-
dicious, however, to allow water to enter
the eye. as this act may engender disease.
1t should never be allowed except under
skilled advice. Do not use the eyes after
they are tired. They should be rested, if
only for moment. Avoid the use of the
eyes while travelling in railway carriage
or in poor light. Do not work with the
head bent low. Use sloping desk when
writing Never allow the light to shine
in your eyes while working; let it come
over the left shoulder. if possible. If this |
cannot be accomplished wear shade.
Avoid the use of colored glasses unless
under competent advice, except when ex- |
posed to bright light. such as the glare of |
the sun upon snow or water. Then they |
may be used with great benefit. London
smoked glasses, or blue. are the only |
colors that should be worn under these |
circumstances. Avoid holding.a book,
when reading, too Aear the eye, as the
nearer it is held the greater the strain.
On the other hand, do not hold it far
away, as then the strain is even greater
Contagion is the most fertile cause of the
spread of external diseases, especially
granular lids. This is most generally the
,ase in public institutions, where children
i've and sleep together, and often wash
themselves in the same water. Isolation
s the only known method for preventing
he spread of this disease. A normal eye
hould be perfectly strong and not become
asily tired. It shouldknot require the
lse of glasses until the age of 40 or 45 has
,een reached By the use of proper glasses
hey should remain strong indefinitely.
| far sighted man requires glasses for
eading much earlier than a man who is
ear sighted When a person does not
eed glasses for reading at so years of
ge it proves conclusively that he must
ave been near sighted in his youth
Jew York Mail and Express.