Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1897-02-04

of the eyes. This focusing muscle is
potent enough to disturb the whole
physical act of seeing, and by indirect
headaches.
my attention has been repeatedly
called to the cr'oss-lights in a school
room. The light falling directly into
the eyes further contracts the pupils,
which are already contracted by the
action Of the muscle of accommodation
in it's effort to give clearer picture to
the brain. This has a tendency to
ent result we have nearsightedness.
Where the eyeball has an unnatural
shortness this same action manifests
itself by headaches, chorea, nausea,
dyspepsia and ultimately premature
breaking down of the health. The first
symptom of failing sight is hyper
secretion of tears, burning of the eye.
lids, loss of eyelashes and congestion
of either the eyelids or the eyeball
proper"
We'll, doctor, the other extreme,
arsightedness-what of that?" queried
the reporter.
"Farsightedness or hyperopia, is the
natural condition of the human eye.
Savages are farsighed. Humboldt
speaks of the exceedingly acute vision
of the Indians of South America My
own examination among Indians of our
own country confirms this. Professor
Jaeger of Vienna examined The eyes of
many new born children and found,
with very few exceptions, all far
sighted. As long as an individual has
an outdoor occupation this sort of Wis
ion causes very little disturbance in
the life work of the individual. But
when such a person has an indood oc-
cupaton, then do many troubles arise
Among the first to show themselves
are headaches, pain in or about the
eyes, a tired and languid feeling.
These symptoms are so well recognized
by the alert family physician that the
professional aid of an ophthalmic sur
geon is soon invoked for adjustment
of the proper glasses which relieve the
abnormal strains
Are there any rules which can be
laid down for the preservation OF the
eyesight?'
Il can do no better, I guess, than
repeat certain rules formulated some
years ago in lecture delivered before
the English'u-fBhp'u crz E-.kgy:xu
the Franklin Institute;
Avoid sudden changes from dark to
brilliant light.
Avoid the use of stimulants and
drugs which affect the. nervous system.
Avoid reading when lying down Or
when mentally and physically ex-
hausted.
When the eyes feel tired, rest them
by looking at objects at long dis
lance.
PAY special attention to the hygiene
OF the body, for that which tends to
promote the general health acts ben
eficially upon the eye.
Up to 40 years of age battle the eyes
twice daily with cold water.
After so battle the eyes morning
and evening with water so hot that
~" "oiiuti NOV you SldHu II, IOllOW
this with cold water: that will make
them glow with warmth.
"Old persons should avoid reading
much by artificial light be guarded as
to diet, and avoid sitting up late at
night.
DO not depend on your own judg-
ment in selecting spectacles.
DO not give up in despair when you
are informed that a cataract is develop
ing; remember that in these days of
advancing surgery it can be removed
with little danger to the vision.
Other sources of eye strain. accord
ing to other specialists, are. Reading
IN Jolting street cars and railroad
trains; working without rest on books
and figures day in and day out until
the eyes break down; badly lighted
counting-rooms and offices: failure to
carry the head erect when walking:
tight collars corsets and shoes-which
cause damming of the blood in the
vessels of the head and eyes and
many kindred sources which cause
much injury to the eyes if persisted in,
but many frown would be saved to
man and many wrinkle to woman
by having them corrected. -Philadel-
phia Ledger