Democratic Sentinel, Volume 12, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 November 1888 — CARE OF THE EYES. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CARE OF THE EYES.

BY DR. S. M. BURNETT.

HERE are, perhaps* more individuals who ascribe their weakness of sight to a use of their eyes under an insufficient artificial illumination than to any ’other one .cause. In a many instance* this may not be strictly true, but there can , be no doubt that faulty artificial light is one of the most productive causes of a certain

| class of injuries to which the eye can I be exposed. The two sources of trouble J with the ordinary artificial lights are: first, that they are not pure w*hite, and secondly, that they are unsteady. The first defect is found in all artificial lights except the lime, electric and magnesium lights; the second especially in candles and gas. The yellowness is, in a measure, counteracted by using, in the case of lamps and gas, chimneys of a violet or blue tint, and the flickering of the gas may be obviated largely by employing an Argand burner, All things considered, a German student-lamp furnishes the most satisfactory light. The next best is gas. witli an Argand burner. The chimneys of both may, as above suggested, be advantageously of a lightblue tint. The position of the light in relation to the body is of great importance. If a shade is used on the lamp or burner (it should, by preference, be of ground or “milk” glass, never of colored glass), the light may stand directly in front of the body and the work be allowed to lie in the light under the shade, which wjll protect the eyes from the glare of the flame. If no shade is used the back should be turned to the source of light, which ought to fall over the left shoulder. The same rule applies in the management of daylight. In this case the light should come from behind and slightly above, and fall directly on the work, whence it is reflected to the eye. It should never fall directly in the face. The light in the room during sleep is also not without its influence. As a rule, the room during sleeping hours should be dark; and, in particular, care should be taken to avoid sleeping opposite a window where on opening the eyes in the morning a flood of strong light will fall on them. Even the strongest eyes are, after the repose of the night, more or less sensitive to the impression of intense light. The eyes must have time to accustom themselves to the stimulus. should be called to the injurious effects that sometimes follow reading on railroad cars. On account of the unsteadiness of the page, reading under these circumstances is exceedingly trying to the eyes, and should never be persisted in for any considerable length of time. During convalescence from sovera illness tue eyes are last to regain their' lost power. i