The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-05-10
HYGIENE OF THE EYES.
Important Facts That Should Be Better

Known.
DR.. Isaac Farrar of Boston, in one Of
his popular lectures on health, spoke of
the proper care of the eyes, and the
following is a synopsis of his interest,"
ing address:
In regard to the fatigue or over-taXa-
ton of this most potent and too often
abused organ, the people should be-
come more familiar. If after reading,
writing. or working an hour or two,
there is a feeling of discomfort about
the eyes, all labor should be inter
mitted. Cold or luke-warm water
should be freely applied. and if the day
be fine walk in the open air should be
taken.
All labor by artificial light should be
at once avoided, as well as visiting
highly Illuminated and badly venti-
lated apartments Literary men and
bookkeepers suffer oftener than any
other class from all the symptoms at
tributed to over-work. This is espe
cially true of students. for in order to
pursue their studies, the eyes must be
perpetualiy employed The disease or
weakness is frequently attributed to
the form of the Greek and Hebrew
letters, because students of this class
are more frequently attacked. In many
instances / am inclined to think the
real cause is to be found in feeble con-
situations, over-labor, too much mental,
yes, too much physical excitement.
Outdoor exercise is very important.
But the weak and facilitating effect
of excessive base and football playing,
boat-racing, the use of tobacco, strong
drink, etc, should be condemned by
every rational man and woman in our
country. The adjustment of light is,
perhaps, one of the most important
points to be regarded by the student
and our reading classes of people AL
formations of light and darkness dis
tress weak eyes, and are great injury
to those which are sound. Too little
attention is paid to the position of the
bed in relation to the window, so that
the eyes are not exposed to strong
light on awakening, the sudden tran
sition from dark to light rooms, the man
ner in which the light falls upon the
page, are all very important considera-
tons, though theyilnay seem trifing in
themselves.
Too little light facilitates the eyes
and causes over action, while too much
confuses and dazzles; also causes a NOR
bid sensibilitv. 1t is far better not to
commence the evenings study or read
ing suddenly or too soon after the even
ing meal. say for an hour or two Do not
try to save the gas or kerosene oil
There should be sufficient light
to see easily. The light in the room
should be equally distributed and
not reflected or concentrated. Let the
windows be protected by blue or green
shades or curtains
If the room be painted at allit should
be blue or green. for nature has thus
suggested those colors.
Writing or reading by twilight. look
ing at lightning, the electric lights.
and visiting panoTamas, stereoscopic
views, or Kaleidoscope. are all attend
ed with danger 70 the sight Sitting
in front OF q window with the book on
the knees, standing with the back
directly 70 an open window and per
strong light 70 fall Immediate
ly upon the book or paper, drop lights.
holding candle or small lamp between
the eyes and book or paper. are all I.
practices likely TO debilitate the sight.
The light should always fall obliouelv
from above over the left shoulder
Boston Traveller.