The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-07-27
CONSERVING THE VISION OF NEAR-SIGHTED EYES

Whether 1t is because the postofnce authori. ties are more vigilant in preventing the use ol the mails for fraud, or because the iaty N oe coninp less g,illible and better informed, don't know, but certainly do not receive 50 many inquiries now as did Yormerly aDoul mysterious "eye exercises tnae aa 'rnortIna 2 to strengthen the eyes and oo away "''h 'A' need of spectacles. ....s ness) >imost always wish they could get aions Without glasses, and 50 these humbug "naturar methods appeal strongly to them. ,,. | I am just an ordinary doctor, not an oculist or eve doctor-ophthalm halmologist. as we doctors call him-and in fact think ophthalmology as a special field of practice Is rather backwaro Ms compared with other special branches or meal cine The trouble is, so many Ophthalmologists are conceited enough to think they can De otol- ogists Gear specialists), rhinoiogsts Smose epe- cialists) and laryngologists as well. what opn- thalmology needs to- day Is a few ophthalmoi- ogists. - ,,., ,,,,. realize that for them the conservation Of Vision depends mainly upon the amount or rest they can give their eyes now while they are young.
 This means that all unnecessary s.fa,r m oa oid ch strain, if you are near-sighted, always wear your glasses when you read or do any Kind or near work with your eyes.
 It is a fortunate thing for the vision of near sighted eyes that the child requires re-testing from time to time and a change of glasses 10 suit the changing focusing power of the eye at
 rest That is it is fortunate if the test or exam ination is made by an opthalmologist iocuiist. eye physican) for he will put drops In the eyes to put the accommodation or focusing enort at rest so that the test will show just what the resting eye sees without any strain, CONSCIOUS or unconscious, on the part Of the patient It ls q distinctly beneficial thing for near-sighted eyes in a young person to be kept under the effects of such drops for a week or more, now and then. as complete rest for the eyes. :. amount of physiological rest and prevent strain, dodge all close work you can dodge, and | endeavor to take advantage of every opportun- | ifv for outdoor sports occupations
 If any form of eye exercise can do good In any defect of vision 1t Is certain that just using the eyes to look at things is the best form of exercise you can give them.
 Many of us older folk can have pur vision measured just as well by an optometrist or an optican as by any physician, for after we get to middle age our accommodation or focusing power is so limited that 1t doesn't matter and 50 no drops are necessary for an accurate test of our eyesight. But you know there are lots Of things that are all right for grown-ups yet all wrong for children.
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Training the Child for Health
 Please accept thanks for the rules for care and preservation of the teeth which you so graciously sent for the use of our teachers fin the dental hygiene campaign, and also for the write more along that line-it takes . lot of time to get this newer knowledge across. It city doctor, Dr - and your heIp, to get the parents to consent to immunixatiOn of our school children against diphthcria. (Mrs F. L.) Answer-Im glad to know we're getting some newer knowledge of hygiene over to the school children. As a rule they get only anti quated ideas.
 Alcoholism
 If man had both legs smashed up would the fact that he has never drank at all make any difference in regard to the saving of his irs' from smputation? (N. w. Al
 Answer--If you compare him with a man similarly injured who has been hard or steady fir a faAt "a To IT. would unquestonably have the better chance.