The Washington times., 1914-06-10

Washing the Eyes.
The. child's eyes need constant atten-
ton fer several weeks after birth. but
the services Of a physician are not
necessary. Perfect cleanliness is the
end to be attained, and frequent wash
ing Is the means to that end. Instead
Of plain water. IL is best to use solu-
ton made by dropping a teaspoonful Of
boracic acid (not common kitchen bo-
rax) into a cuptul of water that has
been boiled and then permitted to cool
ill lukewarm.
Before washing your baby's eyes.
cleansc your hands thoroughly with
soap and warm water, and after that
dip them in 3 basin containing gill or
so Of peroxide Of hydrogen In half a
pint Of water. Then tear or a bit Of
Etcrilized absorbent cotton, dip II into
the boracic acid solution and tenderly
child's eyes with rag. In the nur-
sery. indeed. absorbent cotton should be
used instead Of towel and rags when
ever II is possible.
exposed to the twin dangers of neglect
and coddling. Sec TO e that neither
direct sunlight nor strong artificial
light shines into your baby's face.
awake or asleep. but do not make the
mistake of shading 1t too much. The
eyes of all of us, in later life, must
lake their share of heavy accidental
strains. and so they must be trained to
bear the burden.
As the child begins to run about and
eApiore the world, the strain upon its
yes begins to grow serious. IF it is of
an alert. incuiring mind It will tackle
the English alphabet very early, and
essay to master the art OF reading. This
II is well to discourage ii. A child un-
der six can derive nothing but harm
from porinS over books, even when the
type Is large and the pictures are al
Turing.
Neither should It be permitted to
strain its eyes by attempting to write.
or by engaging in any game or handi-
craft employing small objects
Get Needed Glasses.
I sometimes believe that the kinder
gartens and baby classes to be found in
every city and town are the greatest of
all enemies Of young America They
drag into the stuffy classroom young
sters who should be exercising their
lungs and legs in the parks, and they
put into practice questionable theories
OF education. Condemned to serve as a
subject for this sort Of pedagogical vivi-
section. II is no wonder that many a
times cut OF ten a physical examination
OF the backward or unruly child will re-
veal enlarged tonsils. massive adenoids.
bad hearing or faulty vision.
II your child is irritable, has head
aches. squints his eyes when his at
tention is attracted. holds his hook lose
70 his face, or seems otherwise uncur1-
fCrtable at his studies take him 10 an
Ophthalmologtst at once. The oculist
who offers to examine eyes free will nor
serve as substitute. The proper ex-
animation Of a chifd's eyes requires pro.
fess!onal skill Of a high order. and this
is OILY TO be found among men Of
long training.
20 seek advice in the nearest large city.
Your family physician will give you a
letter 20 the right man, and il you arc
wise you will remember that the lat
tcrs comparatively high Zee will be
u,c1ey well invested. 1t stands to rea-
son that competent specialist must be
we'll paid for his labors His education
was very expensive, and II was not until
long years of good work with little pay
had proved his capacity that he was
able to set UP shop as an expert.
II this ophthalmologist prescribes
cinsses for your child, have them made
AT once, and see to II that YOUR child
wears them as he directs Most children
object to glasses. and parental vanity
often supports them in their protests
but IL is obvious that this is not an
argument Taken in time, there are
few defects Of vision that cannot be per-
manently corrected.
The curriculum Of the average public
school Is planned for the entirely nor
nal child. and its drain upon the re-
sources Of this child is always pushed |
10 the limit of safety. The child with
defective vision is not a normal child |
and should have its studies arranged |
accordingly. Instead of being sent TO |
school at the age OF six or seven. il |
should be kept at home until 1t is twelve |
and its periods OF book study should |
be short. |
Until 1t is nine years old a child |
should spend no more than three hours !
r day at its studies. At nine another !
hour may be added. and at ten the GUS |
tomary five hours may be safely at |
tempted. This should be the limit for |
boys until they are sixteen, and for !
girls until they are eighteen.
When your child studies or reads at
home. let II do so in the day time. and |
see that II sits somewhere where the l