EYE STRAIN 125 



119. Eye Strain. The extra work which is thrown upon 

 the nervous system through seeing, reading, writing, and 

 sewing with defective eyes is recognized by all physicians 

 as an important cause of disease. The tax made upon the 

 nervous system by the defective eye lessens the supply of 

 energy available for other bodily use, and the general health 

 suffers. The health is improved when proper glasses are 

 prescribed. 



Possibly the greatest danger of eye strain is among school 

 children, who are not experienced enough to recognize defects 

 in sight. For this reason, many schools employ a physician 

 who examines the pupils' eyes at regular intervals. 



The following general precautions are worth observing: 



1. Rest the eyes when they hurt, and as far as possible do 

 close work, such as writing, reading, sewing, wood carving, 

 etc., by daylight. 



2. Never read in a very bright or a very dim light. 



3. If the light is near, have it shaded. 



4. Do not rub the eyes with the fingers. 



5. If eyes are weak, bathe them in lukewarm water in 

 which a pinch of borax has been dissolved. 



