298 PHYSIOLOGY. 



10. Reading during Convalescence. Many eyes are 

 ruined during convalescence. At this time the whole sys- 

 tem is often weak including the eyes. Still, there is a 

 strong temptation to read, perhaps to while away the time, 

 perhaps to make up for lost time in school work. This is 

 a time when a friend may show his friendship. 



1 1. Irritation of the Eyes. If one finds himself rub- 

 bing his eyes, it is a clear sign that they are irritated. It 

 may be time to stop reading. At any rate, one should find 

 the cause, and not proceed with the work unless the irrita- 

 tion ceases. If any foreign object, as a cinder, lodges in 

 the eye, it is better not to rub the eye, but to draw the lid 

 away from the eyeball and wink repeatedly ; the increased 

 flow of tears may dissolve and wash the matter out. To 

 relieve the feeling that something must be done it may be 

 well to rub the other eye, but of course this gives no posi- 

 tive relief to the affected eye. If it be a sharp cornered 

 cinder, rubbing may merely serve to fix it more firmly in 

 the conjunctiva. If it does not soon come out, the lid may 

 be rolled up over a pencil, taking hold of the lashes or the 

 edge of the lid. The point of a blunt lead pencil is a con- 

 venient and safe instrument with which to remove the par- 

 ticle. Sometimes being out in the wind (especially if un- 

 used to it), together with bright sunlight, may irritate the 

 eyes. If after such exposure one finds lamplight irritating, 

 he will do well to go to bed early, or remain in a dark 

 room. 



12. Keep the Eyes Clean. Be careful to keep the 

 eyes clean. Do not rub the eyes with the fingers. Aside 

 from consideration of rules of etiquette, there is danger of 

 introducing foreign matter that may be very harmful. It 

 is very desirable that each person have his individual face 



