The Somerset reporter., 1901-10-24
CHILDREN'S EYES,
Proper Way to Cnre Tor Them. Espe-
cInII, II They Are Weak.

An eminent specialist IN discussing
the seemingly increasing number Of
eases of bad eyesight. says among the
Weather classes 1t is more prevalent
with children than among the poor.
This seems strange. rs. having snfii-
eient MONEY Ut command. the wealthy
parents II, more able 10 attend 10 such
Affections. hut. nevertheless there is
too mnch eye weakness. and tie num-
Der al children wearing glasses is i'll
eraasing every day. y well known
oculst said the other day that in Tie
majority Of eases more care of tie
eyes IN infancy would prevent the later
development OF weakness
IT is not Il difficult ma'ler." this ocu-
list said, TO ruin eyes tlat are normal
~ healthy by mere inatteution. When
tie infant receives its hfst bath. the
eyes should he washed With a soft lin
| en- handkerchief dipped Ia a weak solu-
ton of boracic acid. and this should be
repeated two or three times week for
at least three months. II the slightest
rcdues~ appears or matter IN the cor
ners. the physician should be Informed
| Immediately. and it may be ophthalmi9
neonatoulm, which is dangerous both
to the child and others, as it is highly
| infectious. The nurse should burn all
pieces Of linen used to apply lotions or
to wash the eyes in such case.
The eyes often are injured in infan-
" by being exposed to too much light.
/ H., ,.1ef III ha LII 4 oil
to sleep with the light from window,
lamp or gas shining upon lis face. The
/ old fashioned cradle. with its hood,
was far more sensible than the modern
cribs and basslnets that afford no pro
| lection from either glare or draft. on
the same principle is the English baby
carriage. which has been introduced
into this country within a year or two.
! II has "A hood like a buggy. with shades
at sides and back. any or all of which
/ may be rolled up or lowered rs sun and
/ wind make necessary, While the top
| protects from an overhead glare. With
such an arrangement the eyes may al
ways he protected. 1t makes ones
| blood boil 10 ste the way in which ha-
! hps' eyes are exposed to the fierce
/ glare of a summer sun 10y careless
nursemaids. who take no pains to adj
Just the parasol top that has been in
general use to afford even such protec-
ton as 1t might give.
at is much better for children TO
sleep In the dark. and, if accustomed
to it from the beginning. there Is no
trouble about it, Dark is as natural
as light. and unless children are taught
To fear it they will welcome it at bed
time as eagerly as their elders do. y
baby's nerves become strained by the
excitement of its waking hours, and 1t
needs the restful darkness for eyes and
nervous system alike.
when child is four or five years
old, its eyes should he tested to see if
they are alike in visual power.
An easy method is to hold small
object with which he is unfamiliar be-
fore him and covering each eye in
tam ask him to describe it. In this
way ii may hc asccrtained whether one
eye has stronger vision than the other.
! If ii has. an uculist should he consulted
Immediately to prescribe suitable
glasses. If attended to i'll season. the
eye is likely to strengthen. so that in a
few years the glasses become unneees-
sary"