The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1892-09-17
SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY.

journal of Franklin Institute for June
given some hints and advice of the
utmost value concerning the care and
preservation of the eyesight in middle
life and old age. While pointing out
that the excessive use of tobacco not
| only weakens the muscles of the eye,
but also produces a lowering OF the
acuity OF vision and a form of color
blindness, DR.. Fox mentions incident
tally as a well. authenticated fact that
boys who have INDUCED in the use OF
tobacco are not mentally and physically
as strong as those who abstain. Not
only have medical men recognized tho
! tendency TO depression of the vital
force of young men and boys who are
constant users OF tobacco, but athletic
trainers will never select their boats
crew from such ranks. They know
that tobacco weakens the heart, and
although the tobacco smokers may be
giant in strength, when the final test
comes collapse ald defeat fellow.
When such facts are known to medi-
cal men, says DR.. Fox, no wonder that
twenty-nine States have passed laws
forbidding the sale of tobacco to boys.
There is, nevertheless, a large gulf
between the use and abuse of the
fragant weed. Men who have gone
through a certain amount of mental
strain are the better for smoking one,
two or three cigars daily they have a
soothing effect on the overweight
nervous system, and smoking brushes
away the cobwebs and makes man a
more sociable creature.
Among the sources of the greatest
trouble to the eyesight are the chewing
of tobacco (this above almost all
others,) the excessive use OF wine,
spirits or beer, the lndiscriminate ad-
ministration of quinine, the use OF
cosmetics for heightening the luster of
the eye, and mixtures for dyeing the
the hair and eyebrows, and there is p
case on record where diminution :
vision has been traced to the wearp 8 !
an artificial wreath OF h~~,ers. ~ s
source of failing VISION -3 g
to lmpeded circulation.
The wearing of tsE IN
as collars wh;lhisnie hliah ale too small or shirt
bands or neckties tightly drawn, should
be avoided, as they prevent the down
ward column of blood returning to the
heart, and dilatation and development
OF disease is likely TO follow. The
same rule nolds good of construction
OF other parts of the body. Another
most serious source of eyestrain is con-
slant reading inrailway carriages, which
is the practice of nearly all business
men in going to and from their Offices
and stores, and the injury to the eye
from this cause alone is incalculable.
Nothing gives tired eyes greater re-
lief than green disk or square of
sufficient size, suspended on a direct
line of vision at or against wall in
which the eyes can rest; but best Of
all to look upon is green grass plot
or green trees. 1t is suggested that it
would be public boon if our monthly
magazines were printed on paper of a
neutral tint and the drop curtains in
theaters should have scenes printed on
them showing great perspective. 1t IS
a rest to the eyes after the contracted
effort made in trying to watch the facial
expression or eyes of an actor to look
upon such picture. Many theaters
have drop curtains in which perspec-
tive is absent.
The result is that no relief is given
the eyes after each act, and people
with the least visual defect always
suffer from eye strain after spending
an evening in such places of amuse-
men,. After the last epidemic of la
grippe DR.. Fox was particularly i'm
pressed with the large number of
patients complaining of the loss of
power of the converging muscles of
the eye. Upon investigation ne found
that while these patients were confined
either to bed or home they would
read incessantIy. The result of this
over taxation was weakened eye mus
cles, aud SO long as they remained
unsupported by prisms the patient
suffered with pain over the eye region,
headaches and other evidences of eye
strain.
individuals suffering from any depress
Ing disease should BE- as guarded as to
the length of time they read or use
. their eyes on Stralning work as they
are with regard to physical exertion OF