The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-08-06
THE TATTLER.
When the Eyes Cause Headache.

by Specialist In Ladies Home journal
The headache which has for its principal
cause diseased or unhealthy condition Of the
Dyes is one of the most common and least
recognized of the many varieties OF headache.
Its usual symptoms are pain in the eyes,
temples and over the brows, while in few
exceptional cases an acute aching AT the back
OF the head and neck IL also felt. Even when
these symptoms are not present any sensitive
ness Of the eyes TO light or glare, any symp-
toms of inflammation or redness, should re-
ceive the most prompt medical examination
and treatment, as in its earlier stages such
Inflammation yields readily to treatment but
when neglected often leads TO very serious
complications.
1t Is important not only to secure medical
treatment for any such symptoms, but IL Is
of supreme Importance that such treatment
shall be administered not only by skilfm
physicians. but. whenever possible by an oc-
ulst who is both specialist and physician.
So often the condition requires the treatment
of the specialist that the average general prac-
titioner refers cases OF headache of this kind
Immediately TO an oculist. Patients should
have the same wisdom. Whenever child
complains of headache. its eyes should imme-
diately be examined, as. unless there Is some
stoppage of the nostrils. the eyes are the
usual seat Of trouble. Headaches from other
causes seem entirely a habit Of adult life.
Few people, perhaps. know how valuable
stimulant Is the application of hot water To
tbs eyes. Its value as part of opthalmic
therapeutics is universally recognized by ply
sicians.
The growing practice of permitting opti-
clans to prescribe as well as to manufacture
glasses cannot be too strongly protested
against. Valuable as glasses often are in
affording relief in cases of eye strain, causing
severe and chronic headache or Inflammation,
their use must often be supplemented by the
most careful me iical care and attention. This
double treatment, Of course, Is impossible for
the optician, VIII SO work should be that OF
manufacturing glasses, not of prescribing
them. Often. indeed. a diseased physical
condition must be rernedied before glasses Al 4
useful at sl, and there again the physician is
needed.
There has been in the last twenty years rs
notable an increase in eye headaches and
troubles as there has been in the number OF
opticians and eyeglass. furnishing establish
ments. Twenty years ago one could not find
In any OF our large cities more than two OPP
tical houses able 10 grind lenses and do thor
ough work. Now they may be counted ny
the scores. Their growth has, Of course been
| in proportion to the demand for their
products The relative increase Pf our Ameri-
| can city populations-an increass which gives
| people less invigorating surroundings and
| compels less invigoratng manner Of life
| than the rural existence, thus lessening phys
| zeal strength-which compels a greater use Of
| artificial light with consequent temptation to
| use rhe eyes for longer hours, which brings
! with IL increased school facilities, requiring
| longer hours of study and an overcrowding of
| schoolroons-this increase Of urban popula'
| ,ion, with the attendant circumstances, is re-
| sponsiblo for the greater amount Of ocular
| troubles eye headache and tho like.
OF course, with this growth Of trouble and
| treatment there must be some cases Of over.
| treatment but the danger from this cause Is
| very slight.