314 CARE OF THE EYES. 



is held too close to the eyes, or at a bad angle, or the body 

 assumes a bad position. 



5. Frequently rest the eyes by looking up and away from 

 the work, especially at some distant object. One may rest 

 the eyes while thinking over each page or paragraph, and 

 thus really gain time instead of losing it. 



6. Have light that is strong enough. Remember that the 

 law of the intensity of light as affected by distance is that at 

 twice the distance from the source of light the light is only 

 one-fourth as strong. Beading just before sunset is risky. 

 One is often tempted to go on, not noticing the gradual dimi- 

 nution of light. 



7. Save the easiest reading for the evening. Newspapers, 

 as a rule, have neither good print nor good paper. If the 

 eyes have much work to do, finish this kind of reading by 

 daylight if possible, and by artificial light read books, which 

 usually have better type and better paper. In all ways en- 

 deavor to favor the eyes by doing the most difficult reading 

 by daylight, and saving the better print and the books that 

 are easier to hold for work by artificial light. Writing is 

 usually much more trying to the eyes than reading. By 

 carefully planning his work the student may economize eye- 

 sight, and it is desirable that persons blessed with good eyes 

 should be careful, as well as those who have a natural weak- 

 ness in the eyes ; for it often results that those inheriting 

 weak organs, by taking proper care, may outlast and do more 

 and better work than those naturally stronger, but who 

 through carelessness injure organs by improper use or wrong 

 use (ab-use). 



8. Reading before breakfast by artificial light is usually 

 bad. 



9. Many eyes are ruined during convalescence. At this 

 time the whole system is often weak, including the eyes. 



