V. There are many habits and practices, even among intelligent people, which increase the perils of eyesight. There are dangers enough which must of necessity be encountered by the scholar, without unnecessarily increasing them by avoidable causes.

Many persons acquire certain notions without authority with regard to the treatment of the eye when diseased, and many more accept incompetent advice, which, alas! too many thoughtless persons are ever ready to give.* There are few remedies that may be safely used without advice; and few only are necessary. Sir Gilbert Blane says: "The benefit derived from remedies is so limited, that if a spontaneous principle of restoration had not existed, the human species would long ago have been extinct."

In relation to the "orthodox" habit so much praised, of

OPENING THE EYES IN COLD WATER

as a method of preservation, it is thus remarked by the late Dr. William C. Wallace, who, as is well known, was an able and accurate observer: "There is a popular notion, held even by medical men, that opening the eyes in cold water preserves the organ. This is undoubtedly erroneous. Some of the worst cases of pterygium and film on the surface of the cornea that I have ever seen, have been in the cases of persons who boasted of this practice. When a drop of water gets into the windpipe, a revolution is produced such as when the eyes are opened in water. The eye is lubricated by a secretion admirably adapted to facilitate the motions of the lid over its surface, and as this secretion is partially soluble in water, it is as inconsistent with common sense to wash it away, as to remove the oil from machinery."

There is no remedy so often safe and useful when the eyes have been overworked, or are inflamed, as cold water. There is no better mode of applying it

EYE FOUNTAIN.

*Sight and Hearing. "Popular opinion." Page 217.

than in the form of jet or shower. The annexed diagram will suggest a form of bath that can be cheaply prepared by an ordinary tinman. It consists of a long cup, the back being flat, at the top of which is a loop by which to hang it up, and a hole through which the water is to be poured, and at the bottom a small tube, the end of which is turned up and is provided with a sieve, through which the water issues. This simple apparatus may be conveniently hung over the bathing-tub, or in any other desirable place.

SQUEEZING THE EYES.

Among the letters most recently filed in our letter-book is one from an intelligent gentleman who verily believes that he is able to do without glasses, and that he preserves his eyesight in consequence of his daily habit of squeezing them into propriety. In conclusion, our correspondent remarks that "all that is necessary to be said in relation to the eye, of a practical nature, might be printed in a small pamphlet." It would appear that the word "squeeze" would about cover the whole ground. On this subject we will again permit Dr. Wallace to speak. In relation to the eye, we know of no better authority than that of this learned gentleman, to whose office chair we have the honor to succeed: "I was once called to an aged female who had suffered acutely for months after submitting to the operation of a rejuvenating itinerant. The lens was dislocated, and pressed upon the sensitive nerves on the margin of the pupil. The pain produced by pressure of this kind may be compared to that produced by pressing the exposed nerve of a tooth with a toothpick; but in the former case the pain is continuous, and is not so easily relieved as in the latter. Other cases attributed to manipulation, such as squinting, double vision, etc., have come under my notice. During the last month I operated for cataract in the case of a lady whose vision with the aid of spectacles was perfect until she was induced by plausible advertisements to pay for a course of lessons. After the third lesson vision become indistinct, and blindness ultimately ensued.'

"It cannot be expected that operations founded upon a false theory can be safe in practice. These delicate membranes are liable to be displaced and injured by blows, falls, and other

causes, and the lens, which is naturally clear as crystal, becomes opaque. It is untrue that the outer surface of the eye becomes flatter with advancing age, therefore manipulations, to restore what is not wanting in organs so delicate in structure that a rude push may be followed by perpetual darkness, should be avoided. The principal lens of the eye is situated behind the pupil, and is kept in its proper position by membranes finer than goldbeater's skin. These delicate membranes are liable to be ruptured by blows, falls, or other causes, as before said, and the beautiful lens may be totally destroyed."

Destructive opacity of the lens, or cataract, may be produced, without lacerating the membrane, by a mere interference with the circulation of vessels which supply them with blood; that these results take place is verified by our experience, as well as that of many eminent writers.

A case is related by a German oculist of one who was made totally blind in consequence of the fingers being playfully pressed upon the eyes by a companion from behind. In the endeavor to escape, his sight was instantly destroyed.

"It has been attempted to increase the rotundity of the eye by placing over it a wooden cup attached to an india-rubber bottle like a breast-pump. In the hands of a good juggler almost miraculous experiments are performed with cups and balls. It is not surprizing, therefore, that new arrangements should produce new wonders. The machine, described by Captain Marryat, for altering the disposition of the individual by exhausting cups placed over protuberances of the skull, has not yet been turned to practical account. Some self-styled professors will, it is presumed, shortly take this matter in hand, and advertise instruction by which any change of temper may be affected. There is a tradition, at least as old as the Talmud, that the eyes are strengthened by drawing the finger gently across the eyelid in a horizontal direction."

"Ex-President John Quincy Adams, who was affected with an obstruction of the tear passage, employed this method to get rid of the accumulated fluid. This ancient practice was revived, being brought into notice by the practice of this illustrious statesman. The obsolete theory that the eye flattens as age approaches was also again revived, and it became a busi

ness to advertise instructions and lessons for kneading the eye into shape with the fingers. For the very moderate sum of ten dollars the telltale spectacles might be laid aside, and ancient ladies and gentlemen see and read with all the ease of a girl in her teens. The ten dollar professor, if we may believe the newspapers, met with marvelous success till improvements were advertised in the manner of the performance.'

"Such harmony prevails in animate beings that all the functions of the body are performed without consciousness of the existence of the organ by which these functions are effected. When the lungs are in a healthy condition the play is not perceived by the possessor. The organs of sight and hearing perform their duty without observation or notice, and gain nothing by having our attention directed to them. We cannot assist in the performance of their functions."

Dr. Wallace further remarks: "The circulation of the delicate organization of the eye may be interfered with even by medicines. Dr. Currie relates, that owing to the effect of strychnine and veratrine, the capsule of the lens was dislocated. Others have noticed the occurrence of cataract after the operation of medicines. It is no uncommon consequence of the so-called 'aconitum trick,' a hazardous experiment with aconite. If even medicine taken in the stomach will derange the eye, how careful should we be with regard to manipulations of every sort." (Chicory produces most unpleasant results.)

The above remarks are taken from unpublished manuscripts now in our possession. The bad effect of rubbing the eye open, or of frequent wiping when in a condition of derangement, will be readily appreciated after reading the foregoing sentences.

WHEN THE EYE SHOULD REST.

When the eyes complain, the remedy is repose. They are best rested, not by darkness, but by a change of employment. Employ them upon distant and agreeable objects. The old method of shutting up ophthalmic patients in a dark room was full of evil, producing the very mischief that it was designed to remedy. A single indiscretion is often fatal to useful vision. A patient sometimes says, "I must finish this work or complete this manuscript." Milton said, "I will go on if I am

blind in consequence." He did go on and became blind. Few of us are so near immortality as he was, and can so well afford to go on. An eminent and judicious oculist in New York the other day pointed out to us a single figure in a very large engraving. He said that the sight of it always made him sad. The engraver had, after years of labor, still a single figure to complete. Serious symptoms caused him to apply to this gentleman, who told him that he must stop. He said, "I must finish that last figure." He did finish it, and is now led by a boy around the streets. One hour of railway reading under certain circumstances, may be the cause of fatal impairment of vision. (See Author's experience, Sight and Hearing, p. 69.) It is a dangerous practice, and never safe. Eye work is peculiarly injurious after severe illness, or when the body is in a debilitated condition. When overheated, or very much fatigued, or immediately after a full meal, it is more economical to rest. Students should avoid procrastination at other hours, so as not to be forced to work at improper moments. If the indications of nature are regarded she will plainly say stop in most instances, but not always.

Near-sighted, ambitious young people are peculiarly exposed to fatal overuse of the eyes, or to the dangerous experiment of increasing the power of the concave glass in order to continue with comfort their excessive labors. We have several patients under treatment at the present moment whose history would furnish illustrative examples.

The following is a remarkable illustration of the manner in which a single act of indiscretion may be followed by permanently serious results. In the London and Edinburgh Philosophical Magazine for May, 1859, there is an account of sudden loss of the power of distinguishing colors, produced by overtaxing the eyes. A sea-captain, who was in the habit, when time hung heavy on his hands, of occupying it by working at embroidery, was one afternoon engaged upon a red flower, and being anxious to finish it prolonged his labor until twilight came on, and he found it difficult to select the suitable colors. To obtain more light he went into the companion way, and there continued his work. While thus taxing his eyes his power of distinguishing colors suddenly vanished. He went on deck, hoping that an increase of light would restore his