Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1916-01-21
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e 5 1ftaIn INSTRUCTION BUREAU ~
SSsMs/ H.E.DEARhou Nd .DRsdoa
SHALL THE BLIND LEAD THE
BLIND?

Five dollars for pair of spectaIes!
Absurd. If the boy needs glasses, l
can take him down to the FIVE and ten
cent store and get him pair"
Sounds impossible, doesn't it? Yet
that is exactly the reception which
was given one school nurse when she
went to a mother in northern Wis
cOnsin town to tell her that an ex-
animation of her boys eyes proved
that the sight of one of them was
nearly gone and that proper glasses
were absolutely essential The boy
was twelve years old. He was only
in the fourth grade. Yet no-one had
ever thought to look in his eyes for
the reason.
The nurse was puzzled. Finally she
asked if the boy might be allowed to
earn his glasses. The mother consent
ed. The boy was eagerly enthusiast
tic. 1t was up to the nurse to find the
work. She went about it in the best
possible way by asking the editor of
the local newspaper if he would print
an advertisement for the boy. The
editor did more, He published the
story of the boy who wanted work to
pay for the, glasses which would save
his eyes and within half an hour after
the paper was on the street, bust
ness man had telephoned the school
superintendent to get the glasses and
send the bill to him. Other offers of
help made it possible to provide
little girl, also found to be in need of
glasses, and to outfit boy with school
clothing.
The little story is reminder of the
responsiveness of humanity to the APP
peal of those in distress, especially if
the burden bearer is little child.
Back OF it, however, is another lesson
that should not be overlooked, for the
attitude of the mother is but an ex-
aggerated expression of an Indifference
to the dangers of eye strain and of
false ideas concerning the care of the
eyes which are far too common.
''Please don't advise the use of
glasses for children" was an appeal
sent me early in the history of this
Health Instruction Bureau. "By the
time they are grown they will need
two pairs and be helplessly afflicted
at thirty. Turn them out of your hot,
dry school houses, rather, and let
them learn in the open with the birds
and the rabbits"
Unfortunately the trying conditions
of modern life make demands on us
which must be met and nature some
times leaves defects which science
must supply. Our correspondent points
out danger, however. the same dam
ger of which there is warning in the |
mothers assertion that she could get
pair of glasses for ten cents. For
many mother, anxious to do the
right thing for her child, has paid five |
dollars and six dollars for glasses no
had bought the ten cent variety.
If you have reason to suspect that
Y our child is suffering from eye strain,
if the eyes water or tire easily, if they |
are bloodshot or the eyelids are rcd, if
headaches are frequent or the child
seems dull and fretful and backward |
without apparent reason, consult the
best oculist you can find. The effect
of properly adjusted glasses may work
a miracle.
Now. at the opening of the new
year, is the time to give your child's
eyes special thought and attention.
Whether he needs glasses or not, he
should be taught the Importance of
never subjecting his eyes to unneces-
sary strain.