Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1892-04-15
Artificial Light and the Eyes.

Medical men consider that forced
and undue recourse to artificial light
must have permanently deletorious
effect on the eyes. Eye defects are, it
is said, unusually prevalent. Oculists
testify to an immense increase in
their practice during the last quarter !;
on tie other hand, however, we hear
OF no abnormal demand for spectacles.
The best artificial light for the eyes,
says the Optician, is subject that
should prove of interest to all classes.
1t has been dealt with very fully by
Mr.. Gustavus Hatridge, who deems it
essential that good artificial light
should have the following qualities, in
order that it may have no injurious
effects upon onr eyes: l. 1t should
be OF sufficient intensity to produce a
good illumination, while it is import
ant that no direct rays shall fall upon
the eyes for in the case OF a very
strong light such as the arc, if the un-
protected light be exposed to it for any
length OF time, congestion OF the eyes,
with spasm of the pupil and consider
able temporary exhaustion OF the re-
tina will take place, and will make
itself evident by great dazzling and
dissertations of the vision, together
with swelling of the eyelids; while in
some cases serious injury has been in
fiicted on the retina, and permanent
loss of central vision has occurred.
This result may occur from exposure
OF the eyes to any very intense illum-
ination, and even gazing at the sun
has produced the same permanent in
jury in few cases. 2. That the light
should be absolutely steady and of con.
slant quantity; nothing is more fa-
tiguing to the eyes than the constant
fiickering which occurs with many gas
lights and with unprotected candles.
The interruptions which are so liable
to occur in the "arc" light is one of
its great disadvantages, while the in
candescent light has been, by i'm
proved mechanical arrangements, rem
dered nearly absolutely steady. 8. As
little heat should be generated by the
illuminator as possible, the oxygen
contained in the air should not be
used up. and the products of combus-
ton should be reduced to q minimum,
since heat and the products OF COM
bustion are extremely irritating to
many eyes. These conditions, Mr..
Hartridge considers, are most nearly
fulfilled by the incandescent electric
light, since it contains only small
amount of irritating rays, is fairly
steady, gives off but little heat and no
products of combustion, while at the
same time the oxygen is not con-
sumed. The difficulties at present are
in placing the light in such a position,
and in shading them in such a man.
ner, that no direct rays can fall on the
eyes; experience alone can overcome
this difficulty. The point to be aimed
at always is to arrange the light in ac-
cordance with the requirements of the
room; a system of lights intended 10
illuminate equally whole room can
not be expected to be the best illumi-
nation for special purposes, such as
reading and writing. When the light
is required for reading or writing, it
should be conveniently placed so as to
throw the rays on the book by
means Of suitable shade. The light
should, in all cases, be subdued. The
present mode of hanging the incan-
descent light with a small porcelain
saucer-shaped shade above, though
probably economical as regards the
illumination, is decidedly objectiona-
BILE. 1t must be conceded that the
electric light, judiciously placed, and
carefully shaded, has advantages not
possessed by any other artificial illu-
mination. Not only is it the best
light for strong and healthy eyes, but
even those eyes that are unduly sensi-
tive or the victims of disease may
work longer, and with less risk and
discomfort, than with gas, oil or
candles.