The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1890-01-22
TAKE CARE OF YOUR EYES,
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE PREsERvA.
TIoN OF THE EYESIGHT.
Various Ways in Which the Eyes Are
Iniured--Other Disorders Often
Caused BY Eye Strain.

Caused BY Eye Strain.
There is no factor of the body of
which we have 50 little knowledge, for
which we have so little gratitude, and
which we so shamefully maltreat as the
eye.
we heap abuses upon muscles and It's
sues of microscopic dimensions from the
cradle on, yet at the very first indication
one Of them gives of sinking under the
strain, it or its Creator is loaded with re-
proaches, and we wonder what on earth
eyes are good for if we cannot use them,
and why they do not last as long as we
need them.
Attention was directed to the subject
recently by marvelously skillful opera.
tion performed upon the eyes of a poor
man in the Ophthalmic Hospital by DR..
F. II. Boynton of this city. In a talk
with the doctor, who IS philanthrophist
as well as a scientist, some valuable
points were gathered in regard to the mat
ter. The public conveyance as "A reading
room is one of the foremost sources Of
damage to the sight. The eye demands
absolute steadiness of both light and
position in the object upon which it rests.
Not only is the motion from train itsell
constant, but the pitching and tossing at
the stations and curves, and the constant
interception of objects outside and in be
tween lights artificial and natural, pro-
vide whole army of Philistines before
which the most Samson-like eyesight
must quail
The ferryboat offers still more serious
objection, as the paddle-wheel vibration
is still more constant and excessive thar
that of train, where the road-bed is
good. Many scientific men even 90 Sc
far as to say that it is the motion of the
ocean steamship upon the nerves through
the medium of the eye that produces sea
sickness.
One should cease using the daylight
the instant it has commenced to decline,
even though it seem sufficient for the ac
complishment of some certain task, for
though artificial light is bad, dying day
light is infinitely worse.
A strong sunglare falling directly upon
the eyes, as in long promenade, may be
injurious to weak eye muscles or sensi.
tive retinas. A small parasol, or the hal
tipped over the eyes, should be made .
protection. The foundation for mucl
future eye trouble is laid by the culpablt
negligence of nurses in leaving the eyes
of their little charges exposed to the SUM-
direct rays.
One needs but to wear veil to dis
cover when it is removed that something
is wrong with the eyes. When the vel
is simply plain gnuze one an added
strain is put upon the sight by the inter
vention of the veil haze. The effect OF
the dot is more quickly injurious, as ii
affords a nearby object to distract the
eye from those more removed. The
''muscle of accommodation, as it is
called, lying back of the lens, is con.
tracted when vision rests upon near ob
iect, and relaxed when being exercised
upon one at a distance. One can imagine
the effect upon piece of rubber of its
being continuously pulled between the
fingers, but one can scarcely realize the
damage done the still more delicate eye
muscle.
Specialists cannot but be sorry for the
utttSSlll VI Sb llluNll ul2ll MOlh bl llltl
whose work begins about twilight. With
care, however, the most harmful effects
may be avoided. \ powerful and clear
steady light should fall upon the papers
over the shoulders. The crescent shade !
is a great help. Ceiling lights are al !
ways too high. Bracket lights are din
and flickering. The drop light in front
of the eyes is baneful.
Quite recently the influence of the eyes |
upon the general health has been attract
ing the attention of specialists, and gen
eral practitioners are recognizing the |
manifold serious effects upon the Who'll, |
system of faulty eyes, either from bou
malformatiOns, acquired weakness, or any /
deviation from the normal standard ol
disturbance OF muscular harmony or bal
ance. It's being established beyond doubt
that many cases of sick headache period |
cal headaches, large number of hysteri |
cal or Otherw sc nervous unbalancings, |
many cases of epilepsy, and other seriOw
functional disorders may be traced to eye
disorder as the predisposing cause, need
ing but some species of over eXertion-
sight seeing, concentrated attention upon
a speaker, intent gazing at music or close
study-to precipitate the onset, and pro
duce an invalid in whom the eye is the
last factor to be accused of the mischief.
Often the innocent stomach has tc
bear the consequences of this sly mischief
maker, when in reality it bears the same
relation as effect to cause Cases Of
nervous wrecks, Of worn-out, tired
backed men and women and dyspeptics
owe their suffering TO eye strain, and the
time is coming when many cases of catar.
act will be attributed to malformed eyes
-Atto York StH.