The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-13

toned against the prevailing habit of keep
ing rooms heated by gas too warm, and
they should also be Instructed as to the
necessity of making some provision for the
free admission of fresh air into the apart
ment in order that a reasonable supply of
oxygen may be furnished to the inmates
for breathing purposes"
DIR. Kyle, of Marion, in discussing the
subject, said;
The illumination from jumbo and large
burners has a very bad effect upon the Wis
ion Of children. This is especially SO in emil
dren ranging from the age of three TO
Twelve years. 1t would appear that the eye
at this receptive age is more susceptible
TO the constant fiickerfng of the gas light
than at any other time. This causes a con-
dltion known as asthenopia, that Is, sensi-
tive eye, and is soon accompanied in the
majority of cases by hypertropia or far
sightedness. Children complain of head
ache, blurring of vision after using yes fCr
a time, with a heaviness of eyes. On exam
nation we may find slight tenderness of
eye balls with congestion of optic nerve.
As hypertropia is the prevailing complaint,
we correct this with a weak convex lens.
Under the use of the glass the asthenopia
soon passes away; likewise, in a few months
or o year at the utmost, the hypertrophia,
II slight. likewise passes away, or at least
sutlcient to enable the patient to lay aside
the glasses. The burnt gas which contains
the sulphur oxides is an irritant to the con-
Junctlva. With this irritation constantly
present the patient is susceptible TO car
tarrhal Inflammation or follicular conjunctt-
Wits. 1T would thus appear that all children
showing the least irritation of eyes should
have them carefully examined and If any
defect in vision is found it should be cor
rected, thus removing a condition which
might, If neglected, result in a lasting
or near-sighted condition. 1t would also
appear from limited observation that all
burners used for Illuminating should be
condemned and oil lamps substituted"
OTHER MATTERS DISCUSSED.
DR.. James F. Hibberd, secretary of the
oXvnn Tn1,Fk DAoul - TTo.I%I -1.I
paper entitled rs Sanitation a Proper
Function of the Staten 1t was a strong
argument in behalf of minute care of the
public health by the State. In the after
noon Prof Severance Burridge, lecturer on
sanitary science at Purdue. read a valuable
technichal paper on the blood diagnosis of
typhoid fever. Secretary Hurry, of the
State Board, gave a talk on his discovery
of a cheap method of producing the dis
infectant gas formaldehyde, and gave an
exhibition of the apparatus. a very inter-
esting discussion was had upon the sanitary
condition of schoolhouses and it was de-
cided to make determined effort to obtain
better conditions in the district schools.
TIL new law of registration of physicians
before the State Medical Examining Board
was discussed by DR.. William f. Curryer,
the secretary of the board. The physicians
listened with much interest to his talk and
were very DESTROYS of learning the effects
of the new law. He explained the manner
OIL procuring llCeISeS anu dSheu lOI lHe
good will of the health officers of the State.
He said that the health officers could be of
great service to the board by notifying
physicians that have obtained licenses
fraudulently.
board to go behind the diploma and the
license issued by the county clerk and said
that the board had the authority to nullify
the licenses if the diplomas under which
the physicians are practicing have been OBJ
tanned from a di%sreputable college. He.said
that physicians who are licensed under the
act of 1885 or 1891 will be recognized by the
board.