Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1895-11-10
TIE BABYs EYES.
4 Point Often Overlooked in Caring fOt
 the Helpless Little Mites.

4 Point Often Overlooked in Caring foI
 the Helpless Little Mites.
 It is very common thing to see au infant gaze unblinkingly at a bright light without any attempt being made on the part of the parent or nurse td prevent it. A still more harmful prac tiee is to allow baby to take it's daily ride with it's little face upturned to the bright open skies without the carriage sunshade to protect its eyes. If there is no bright sunlight the nurse takes fl for granted that the shade is unneces sary, forgetting that gazing up into the sky is really painful after the eyes become tired of the bright light.
 It seems to be the general suppositiou that infants eyes have remarkable powers of endurance in this respect and that no harm will result from the ex' posture. This is a great mistake, for ar infants eyes are in reality more sus ceptible to injury than an adults. A child is totally unable to protect itself during the first weeks of life by moving its head or shading its eyes, therefore its nurse or attendant should protect ii from exposure to strong sunlight, gas light or strong artificial light of any kind
 The eyelids of an infant are thin and almost transparent, and the eyelashes but little developed, so that even when the baby is asleep a strong light should not be allowed to fall on it's closed eyes.
 is not wise to fall into the opposite extreme, however, and keep the child In dark room, or shroud it's face when out of doors with heavy veils, since these practices render the eyes un. naturally sensitive, but the endeavor should be made to allow only difused light to reach the sensitive little orbs.
 When children have passed the age of infancy and begin to use their eyes ntelligently, parents should make it pont to study and ascertain the condi- uon Of their vision. Says well known authority: ''A slight defect in the shape of the eye, constituting short Aghtedness or far-sightedness, may practically disappear, so as to cause the individual no trouble if the eyes are properly managed, while on the other hand 1t may be aggravated into seri- ous impairment of vision if the child is improperly trained in the use of the eyes"
 The power of sight in later years is much influenced by the time of life at winch children are required to under. take close and continuous efforts with the eyes. For most children this con- uhued effort begins when they com. menee school, and it is often aggravated oy poorly lighted apartments. A child With weak or sensitive eyes should not Oe called upon to practice music from notes for any great length of time Mnlle the child is young. If the prac- slce IS supposed to be absolutely neces- sary, divide the time into three, four, or even live periods, so that the eyes may rest, as constant gazing at the small olack dots will weaken the strongest eyes.
 Where squinting is noticeable in .nlloren one may be sure there is de- lectlve formation of the eyes. In the majority of cases this results in too great tlatness of the eye. This should " attended to as soon as 1t is noticed, as a the longer it continues the worse are sne results. The remedy for squinting nl US earlier stages lies in the use of sn'asses, sn but if the squinting has been ailoWed to go on for several years s1lght operation will be needed, and 'nefe should be no hesitation in sub- hitting to it. A good oculist should be sonsnlted if there is the least sign of imperfect vision while the child IS young; this may save trouble in later scsrs. = Boston Herald