272 INTRODUCTION TO GENERAL SCIENCE 



References : 



1. 1501 : 305-320. Influences which Affect the Mind. 



2. 1503 : 400-418. The Nervous System. 



a. 1505 : 117-141. The Nervous System. 



b. 1506 : 215-244. The Nervous System and the Senses. 



c. 1507 : 321-327. Care of the Brain ; Disease of Nervous 



System. 



d. 1507 : 328-339. A Clear Mind the Need of the Day. 



e. 1509 : 241-245. Use and Care of the Nervous System. 

 /. 1511:252-253. The Mind. 



199. THE SENSES SIGHT 



Most animals have five senses: sight, hearing, smell, 

 taste, and feeling. These senses are all for use; if they are 

 not used, they become weakened, and certain senses may be 

 lost entirely. Thus fish in underground waters, not needing 

 to see, have no eyes. The ability to see and to hear enables 

 animals to guard against the approach of enemies, as well as 

 to help them secure their own food. With the lower animals 

 the sense of smell aids in a similar way. 



With man, in the civilized state, the use of the senses, es- 

 pecially those of smell and hearing, is not so apparent. All our 

 senses are to protect us, or help us, and we should not neglect 

 their warnings. Pain signifies that there is some local trouble. 

 We should try to correct the trouble, and the pain will pass 

 away, since there is no longer any need of a warning. To 

 stop the pain by paralyzing the nerves, without curing the 

 ailment, is to take away from the body its protection. A bad 

 odor or a bad taste signifies that there are decay, bacteria, 

 and possibly disease in the material producing the odor or 

 taste. The warnings of the senses must be heeded. 



The sense of sight is the one which, without doubt, gives us 



