The state herald., 1912-09-06

V'lVuEllklMlW'
"My business requires a great deal
of writing, and find my eyes are be-
ginning to hurt and look strained. Can
you tell me any exercise for resting
them or making them stronger? Also
please advise me about the cosmetics
would need to give them a softer
look when going out In the evening.
"A BUSINESS GIRL"
The eye is the most responsive Of
our physical parts, and from this very
fact 1t requires frequent change of
focus. While doing any work which
requires a close, fixed gaze, such as
writing, sewing or embroidery, the
worker should often lift her eyes and
look of to more distant point. II the
office desk is near window, pitch the
gaze to the farthest object visible dur
Ing these rests, which If only taken ev-
cry half hour would be of benefit. But
the oftener the gaze is directed to-
as the blue tip of a distant hill, the
horizon line, a shadowy church steeple,
etc.-for the normal eye the far-off
gazing Is natural rest. Small badly
lighted rooms and the shut.in outlook
OF city life readily promote eye strain,
for constant muscular effort is re-
quired to adjust the eye to close OBJ
jects. II the window gazing is not
possible, or the outlook provides only
view OF high walls. good expedient
for resting the eyes is to hang pictures
of mountains and landscapes with dis
tant perspectlves where the worker
can see them easily when looking up
from her close work.
Frequent rests Of two or three min
utes with the eyes closed are also
helpful. and these will never be missed
from the sum total of the days work,
being more than made up for by the
greater ease with which the task can
be pursued. But at the same time a
definite eye strain often intimates n
need OF glasses. and II these are cor.
recty fitted. and used always for
working moments. II is frequently pos
sible to do without them at other
times.
Washing the eyeball night and
morning with tepid water and an an
tiseptic such us salt or boracic acid.
would undoubtedly be comfort to
much-used eyes. and II would not be
much extra bother TO keep an eyecup
In the dressing room OF the office and
repeat the baths several times during
the day. The eyecup will cost ten
cents. and the tiniest pinch OF salt is
all that is needed. this being mainly
TO soften the eject OF the weter,
which. when used alone pains the
eyes considerably. The boracic acid.
being definite antiseptic. is consId-
cred more helpful than the salt and
II Is best bought In crystal form. Put
teaspoonful OF the crystals in glass
OF boiled water. cover the glass, and
uSe tho dilute fluid both in the eyecup
and for bathing with absorbent cotton.
The water win only take up ns much
OF the acid us Il can hold. 30 more
water can always be poured over the
remaining crystals.
Many doctors advise the use OF ice
packs Mt night for very tired eyes, the
chill OF these reducing Inflammation
at once. Wrap up little finely
cracked ice in two bits OF old hand.
ksrchief. and apply the packs to tho
closed eyes when lying down. Using
the ice during the day ns well would
be n further benefit
Sensitive eyes should always be
guarded against the direct glare OF ar.
tiflcial light. no the reading lamp must
be shaded with dark quiet color such
ns deep green and the light itself
should fall over the left shoulder.
When long exposed to n bright glare
OF artificial light the eyes out OF gear
may be seriously injured; ms for per-
fectly well eyes they would have 10
bo Of the strongest sort TO stand such
abuse. Eycllda are for the especial
purpose OF guarding the eyes against
too much light. but ms they do not
shut Il all out healthful sleep can only
be taken in n dark room.
The simplest coloring materials used
are the cosmetic pencils. which can
be had ir every color. black. brown
auburn and blonde; very dark brown.
however. Is more used than pure
black. ms this makes n line almost too
heavy for naturainea. Tho pencil fol.
lows tho natural limo OF tho eyebrow.
and M straight bgowa are now thought
moro beautiful than tho curves ones
once admired tho very arohod brow IL
never painted at the outside end. A
very faint lin,inE In done on the up
per and lower I'D. and for this tho
pencil u rubbed on n piece Of paper
and the powder transferred 10 tho lids
siih finger This gives n softer and
more blurred shadow than n lines
sore made with the pencil itself
ulpar Tear ttneLisa.