Hints to students on the use of the eyes / by Edward Reynolds.

  • Reynolds, Edward, 1793-1881.
Date:
1835
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Hints to students on the use of the eyes / by Edward Reynolds. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by UCL Library Services. The original may be consulted at UCL (University College London)

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    rooms after twilight, with the eyes closed, for the purpose rf giving them what is considered a salutary repose ; and then suddenly expose them to the strong artificial light of candles and argand lamps; never dreaming that the uncomfortahle sensations momentarily experienced, are the result of injury to the organ. The student is in the habit of surrounding the lamp with thick shades, which darken every part of the room, except the book or paper upon which he is reading or writing; and alternately turning the eyes from the brightly illuminated surface of the one, to the dull gloom of the other. These examples are sufficient for our purpose. Many others of similar character, all obvious infringements of this law, will present themselves by considering the habits of studious men. The injury occasioned by each act of disobedience to the plain dictates of nature, is exceedingly slight; so that it does not arrest the attention. But is it wonderful, that, in the course of months and years, these often repeated injuries, however small, produce diseases; that the retina, thus treated, should begin to manifest symptoms of irritability; and finally, when persisted in, refuse to perform its functions ? Indeed, is it not rather wonderful that the sight is not oftener destroyed ? The relation of the following case here, may be use- ful, in impressing this important principle on the mind.* A young traveller, of robust constitution and sound health, arrived late in the evening at his lodgings in an inn. Being fatigued, he fell into a profound sleep, from which he was awaked on the following morning, in the most disagreeable manner, by the rays of a bright sun, which were reflected by the wall and floor of the cham- ber upon his face. He immediately arose and closed the window curtains, which were unfortunately white, and fell asleep a second time. But the sun soon aroused him more rudely than before; for its direct rays now shone through the thin curtain, full upon his face. A free se- cretion of tears, united with a slight redness and a trou- Beer, Pflege gesunder und geschwachter Augen. [Beer on the Treatment of Sound and Weak Eyes.]