B M 135 3bD 
 
STRONG EYES 
 
 HOW WEAK EYES MAY BE 
 STRENGTHENED AND SPEC- 
 TACLES DISCARDED. 
 
 BKRNARR MACFADDEN 
 
 Editor of "Physical Culture," and 
 
 "Woman's Physical Development. " 
 
 AND AU "OR OF "VIRILE POWERS OF SUPERB MANHOOD," 
 
 "STRENGTH FROM EATING,"' "NEW HAIR CULTURE," 
 
 "ATHLETES CONQUEST," ETC., ETC. 
 
 Copyrighted 1901 
 — by — 
 
 BERNARR MACFADDEN IN U. S. A. 
 
 ENTERED AT STATIONER'S HALL, LONDON, ENGLAND. 
 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 
 
 Published by the 
 
 PHYSICAL CULTURE PUBLISHING CO., 
 
 NEW YORK, U. P. A. 
 
ZE5I 
 
 > 
 
 LIB; 
 
 Lou uion 
 
 °f Optometrists 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Chapter I. 
 
 THE EYES— The most Important of 
 Human Organs of Sense. The Mechan- 
 ism and Mystery of Sight — The Lan- 
 guage of the Eye and its Expression of 
 Individual Character 3 
 
 Chapter II. 
 
 BEAUTIFUL EYES— The seat of In- 
 tellectual and Emotice Charm — Elusive- 
 ness of Definition — The Physical Causes 
 of Beautiful Eyes — Concordant Develop- 
 ment of Eyes with Character 11 
 
 m6?S**9 
 
Chapter III. 
 
 STRONG EYES— Their Necessity to 
 a Strenuous Life — The limitations of 
 the Blind and the Weak-sighted — Strong 
 Eyes the main Factor in Personal Mag- 
 netism and Hypnotism 19 
 
 Chapter IV. 
 
 DULL EYES— Always the Result of 
 General Physical Debility — Absurdity of 
 Rooking for a Local cause or of Seeking 
 for Local Remedies — The Eyes a Ther- 
 mometer of Health — How Dull Eyes 
 may be Brightened 29 
 
 Chapter V. 
 
 WEAK EYES— Result of Over-taxing 
 — Bad Light and Wrong Positions in 
 Reading — How these are to be Corrected 
 — Evils of Present Education of School- 
 children — How Weak Eyes may be 
 Strengthened 33 
 
Chapter VI. 
 
 CRIPPLED EYES— The Eyes that 
 
 are Born so — The Eyes that are Made 
 
 so — Spectacles are Crutches — How these 
 
 may be Laid Aside 39 
 
 Chapter VII. 
 DISEASED EYES— Congestion and 
 its Treatment — Inflammation and its 
 Treatment — Catarrh of the Eye and its 
 Treatment — Granulation and its Treat- 
 ment — Eye-pimples and Styes, Tumors of 
 Eyelids and their Treatment — Spasms 
 and Twitchings of the Eyelids and their 
 Treatment — Specks before the Eyes and 
 their Treatment — Cross-eyes and their 
 Treatment — Diseases of the Cornea and 
 their Treatment — Diseases of the Iris 
 and their Treatment — Diseases of the 
 Pupil and their Treatment — Cataract and 
 its Treatment — Diseases of the Choroid 
 and their Treatment — Diseases of the 
 Retina and their Treatment — Diseases of 
 the Optic Nerve and their Treatment. 46 
 
 iii 
 
Chapter VIII. 
 
 CONSTITUTIONAL TREATMENT 
 for Strengthening the Eyes — Out-of-door 
 Exercise — Diet 61 
 
 Chaptkr IX. 
 
 MASSAGE OF THE EYE— How the 
 Eye may be Massaged with the Fingers. 
 
 78 
 
 Chapter X. 
 
 EYES EXERCISES— Illustrated Sys- 
 tem of Exercises for Strengthening the 
 Muscles that Control the Eyes 83 
 
 Chapter XI. 
 EYE BATH— How this Valuable 
 Means of Strengthening the Eyes can be 
 Taken — Shown by Illustration 91 
 
 Chapter XII. 
 
 SPECIAL EXERCISES— Illustrated 
 Exercises for the Neck which will Effect 
 the Eyes Beneficially , 97 
 
 iv 
 
Chapter XIII. 
 
 EXERCISES FOR CONSTITU- 
 TIONAL TREATMENT 105 
 
'Oh, loss of sight, of thee I most complain!" 
 
 —Milton. 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 Who can estimate the value of 
 eyes "the windows of the soul?" 
 
 If one were to be offered the 
 wealth of the world in exchange 
 for his power of vision the proposi- 
 tion would not be attractive. 
 
 Notwithstanding the enormous 
 value of this power everywhere, in 
 every walk of life, the eyes are ill- 
 treated and subjected to intemper- 
 ate use. 
 
 This common abuse of these 
 valuable organs has caused spec- 
 tacles, the eye crutches to 
 be used, almost universally 
 
2 PREFACE 
 
 while absolutely nothing is known 
 of natural means for remedying 
 these visional defects. 
 
 I believe that the information 
 furnished here if acted upon will 
 not only save thousands of suffer- 
 ers from the necessity of wearing 
 glasses, but those now using this 
 artificial and ultimately injurious 
 aid to the eyes will be able to cast 
 it aside. 
 
 Strong eyes, like strong arms, 
 can be developed and the contents 
 of this book will tell how such re- 
 sults can be secured. 
 
•'Eyes that shame the violet, 
 Or the dark drop that on the pansy lies." 
 — William Cullen Bryant. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 THE EYES. 
 
 Of all the organs of special sense 
 possessed by man the eye is by far 
 the most important. Indeed the 
 superiority is so universally recog- 
 nized that sight is taken as repre- 
 sentative of sense perception in 
 general. A man is said to view a 
 subject told him by word of month. 
 He "sees a point" rather than feels 
 it. Even odors and tastes are de- 
 scribed by sight symbols. Per- 
 
4 STRONG EYES 
 
 fumes are alluring, and the victim 
 of the tobacco habit is said to awake 
 in the morning with a "dark brown 
 taste in his mouth." 
 
 Many other animals than man 
 have other senses than sight in 
 preeminence. Smell is so highly 
 developed in a dog that scientists 
 declare that the sleeping hound 
 following his imagined quarry 
 dreams mainly if not entirely of 
 scents. The cat with all of its 
 marvelous adaptation of the eye 
 for hunting by night locates its 
 prey by hearing even more than 
 by seeing. But man depends for 
 material perception far more on 
 sight than any other sense. He 
 tests everything by it. "Seeing is 
 
THE EYES 5 
 
 knowing" and "seeing is believing" 
 are proverbs even recognized by 
 law, where actual sight of the per- 
 petration of a crime is considered 
 necessary to verify the evidence of 
 a witness. 
 
 The reason for this preeminence 
 is to be found in the highly devel- 
 oped physical structure of the eye, 
 more specifically in that of the op- 
 tic nervous system. This system 
 is the real eye. What is common- 
 ly known as the eye is only the 
 eye ball, which is simiply the term- 
 inus of the system. • Its marvelous 
 structure is, after all, merely the 
 end of a nerve, developed through 
 countless ages of natural selection 
 just as an eye of a cuttlefish, is a 
 
6 STRONG EYES 
 
 special evolution of skin structure. 
 
 Consequently proper treatment 
 of the eye should include the whole 
 optic system, instead of the eye 
 ball alone, as is commonly the 
 case. 
 
 And, as treatment for nervous 
 disorders largely depend on that 
 which influences the whole body, 
 the hygiene of the eye, is therefore 
 principally constitutional. The 
 optic nervous system is the real 
 eye. The parts of the eye ball, 
 the mere mechanism, may be 
 replaced by artifice. Spectacles or 
 lenses supplement, even wholly 
 perform, the office of the natural 
 "crystalline lens." The "aqueous 
 fluid" also has been replaced by 
 
THE EYES 7 
 
 water. But only the processes of 
 nature can resupply or rebuild lost 
 or diminished nervous energy. It 
 is therefore out of place in this 
 treatise to discuss the mechanism 
 of the sight more than to mention 
 some of the latest scientific conclu- 
 sions. The reader, who may be 
 interested from a purely educa- 
 tional point of view can study the 
 anatomy and physiology of the 
 eye in any school text-book. 
 
 Suffice it to say that the images 
 of objects pass through the crys- 
 talline lens of the eye and project 
 their outlines upside down upon 
 the retina. The light vibration 
 forming the image on the retina is 
 transmuted into nerve vibration 
 
8 STRONG EYES 
 
 and telegraphed to the brain-cent 
 where the sight function is local- 
 ized. If the nerves and brain are 
 healthy, fully and normally devel- 
 oped, the impression will be accu- 
 rate, but if otherwise it cannot be 
 depended upon with any degree of 
 certainty. 
 
 Owing to the intimate connec- 
 tion of the eyes with the whole 
 nervous system, passing emotions 
 are very clearly indicated by the 
 expression of the eyes. "The love- 
 light in the eye" has been the 
 theme of amatory verse of all ages 
 and times. The various colors of 
 the pupils have been said to indi- 
 cate diverse characteristics. It was 
 Thompson Moore who wrote: — 
 
THE EYES 
 
 "The brilliant black eye 
 
 May in triumph let fly 
 
 All its darts without caring who feels 'em; 
 
 But the soft eye of blue, 
 
 Though it scatter wounds, too, 
 
 It much better pleased when it heals 'em." 
 
 The eyes are capable of express- 
 ing not only general emotions and 
 broad traits of character, but also 
 ideas and specific thoughts. Not 
 only figuratively, but literally some 
 people "talk with their eyes." 
 
 In this accomplishment the Ori- 
 entals are especially proficient. Se- 
 cret information of a proposed con- 
 spiracy has been communicated 
 from one native to another, by the 
 eyes alone, even in the presence of 
 Englishmen. 
 
 There is no feature of the hu- 
 mane physiognomy that gives a 
 
io STRONG EYES 
 
 more clearer indication of character 
 than do the eyes. Give Brutns the 
 fnrtive eyes of "lean and hungry" 
 Cassius, gentle Ophelia the pas- 
 sionate, burning orbs of Lady 
 Macbeth, and what a change is 
 wrought. We read of the clear 
 and piercing glance of Cardinal 
 Richeleu, the "penetrating stab of 
 the eyes of Bonaparte; the mystic- 
 dreaming eyes of Swedenburg and 
 we feel that the eye described 
 stands for the man — is the true in- 
 dex of his character. 
 
 To the eye then, we can search 
 for aid in estimating character, and 
 the hygienic measures adopted to 
 improve the one cannot fail to cor- 
 respondingly strengthen the other. 
 
"I look upon the fair blue skies, 
 
 And nought but empty air I see; 
 
 But when I turn me to thine eyes, 
 
 It seemeth unto me 
 
 Ten thousand angels spread their wings 
 
 Within those litte azure rings." 
 
 — O. W. Holmes. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 BEAUTIFUL EYES. 
 
 "Age cannot change nor custom 
 stale Her infinite variety." — Thus 
 wrote Shakespeare of Cleopatra, the 
 most beautiful woman of ancient 
 times. The great Caesar fell prey 
 to her charms, and in her wondrous 
 Egyptian eyes Mark Antony read 
 the secret .of his destiny. From 
 
12 STRONG EYES 
 
 the testimony of contemporary his 
 torians we learn that the chief 
 charm of the wonderful women la}' 
 in the mysterious splendor of her 
 eyes. Dark, lustrous, large they 
 mirrored the placid twilight of the 
 Egyptian days, -or the passionate 
 burning of the noonday sun. Bnt 
 not only were her eyes the windows 
 of Cleopatra's emotive nature; they 
 as well expressed the fire and vigor 
 of an intellect unsurpassed in 
 brilliancy and resource by any an- 
 cient or modern queen. The mis- 
 tress of a dozen tongues, versed in 
 the lore of the ancient philosophies, 
 Kigh Priestess of Isis and Osiris, 
 we are told by Plutarch that her 
 eyes, even more adequately than 
 
BEAUTIFUL EYES 13 
 
 her tongue, gave expression to the 
 brilliancy and versatility of her 
 mind. 
 
 Wherein this wonderful power 
 of expression consists, physiolo- 
 gists have never been able to de- 
 termine. Like beauty in its vari- 
 ous manifestations, by its very 
 elusive mystery it charms as it be- 
 wilders us. Many theories of the 
 beautiful have been advanced by 
 philosophers at various times, but 
 in no instance have they been able 
 adequately to explain hoiv or why 
 certain combinations of colors and 
 of form should excite pleasant 
 rather than unpleasant sensations. 
 And this is specially true of the 
 eyes. The most delicate instru- 
 
14 STRONG EYES 
 
 ments might not be able to estab- 
 lish a perceptible difference in 
 color, form or size of two pairs of 
 eyes, and still one pair might be 
 considered beautiful and the other 
 homely. 
 
 Bnt if we leave the consideration 
 of abstract beauty to the student of 
 aesthetics, and take it from the 
 simpler ground of practical hy- 
 giene, many very substantial es- 
 sentials to beautiful eyes may prof- 
 itably be considered. The eye to 
 be beautiful must be clear It mttsl 
 be free from defects — myopia, ob 
 liquity, astigmatism. The lashes 
 must be of a proper length, the 
 lids healthy and the whites free 
 from the discolorations of impure 
 
BEAUTIFUL EYES 15 
 
 blood. A perfect digestion, a 
 healthy and energetic circulation 
 of the blood, a delicate nervous 
 poise, are all physical prerequisites 
 to beautiful eyes. Form, color and 
 size, however important in them- 
 selves, avail nothing without the 
 lustre and brilliancy and express- 
 ion imparted by general physical 
 tone, and though the shape and 
 color of the eyes can never be 
 changed, they can be greatly im- 
 proved in strength and appearance 
 by the rational system of constitu- 
 tional and hygienic treatment to be 
 considered later. 
 
 In concluding this chapter it 
 may be well to also mention that 
 not only does the eye give express- 
 
16 STRONG EYES 
 
 ion to traits of character, as stated 
 in a preceding chapter, but no de- 
 velopment of character is possible 
 without a corresponding develop- 
 ment of the power of expression in 
 the eye. 
 
 "Don't trust that man" you often 
 hear one person say of another; 
 and in answer to your demand for 
 a reason you are told "that he 
 never looks one straight in the 
 eye." Children especially are 
 usually able to read correctly the 
 character from the eyes, while er- 
 minologists and alienists tell us 
 that the criminal and the insane 
 can be invariably be recognized by a 
 peculiarly furtive expression of the 
 eyes that they cannot disguise even 
 
BEAUTIFUL EYES 17 
 
 by the greatest cunning. 
 
 On the other hand the value of 
 the eye to actors, and orators is 
 universally conceded. Who has 
 not read of the flashing eyes of 
 Patrick Henry? of Webster, Cal- 
 houn & Clay? While one of the 
 most striking and remarkable plays 
 on the stage to-day is dependent 
 for realistic effect upon the wonder- 
 ful ability of the actor to transform, 
 in the presence of his audience and 
 without resorting to extraneous 
 aids, the mild and gentle eyes of 
 Dr. Jekyl to the cruel and devil- 
 ish eyes of Mr. Hyde. 
 
"Sight is priceless, and for this reason 
 when the eyes need help they need the best 
 help."— Prof. J. H. Greer, M.D. 
 
 "Millions of eyes are rendered miser- 
 able to look upon, or from, by the drugifica- 
 tions of doctoring, washes, lotions, leeching, 
 blistering, bleeding, calomelizing, etc."— 
 R. T. Trail, M.D. 
 
"L/Ojk on his eyes, and thou wilt find 
 
 A sadness in their beam, 
 
 Like the pensive shades that willows cast 
 
 On the sky-reflected stream." 
 
 — Eliza Cook. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 STRONG EYES. 
 
 There is no evil that has accom- 
 panied modern civilization so close- 
 ly as that of weak eyes. Along 
 with the growth of the newspaper 
 from a fonr-paged, four-columned 
 sheet printed with large type, to 
 the sixty-four page ' 'Sunday Edi- 
 tion" printed on inferior paper, 
 and frequently with very small 
 type, has appeared a progressive 
 
 19 
 
20 STRONG EYES 
 
 degeneration of the visual powers. 
 It is "the reading habit" that has 
 also called attention to this weak- 
 ness of the eyes, and cheap poorly 
 printed literature has had much to 
 do towards producing this condi- 
 tion. The progress of science that 
 has for its object the study of ab- 
 normal manifestations, the appli- 
 cation of greatly complicated meth- 
 ods in consideration of such phe- 
 nomena, is likewise partly respon- 
 sible for this condition of affairs. 
 For as the body of science has in- 
 creased in magnitude, further 
 knowledge along these particular 
 lines has been acquired only by 
 the development of various special- 
 ties wherein the individual inves- 
 
STRONG EYES 21 
 
 tigator concentrates his powers 
 upon a certain line of research to 
 the exclusion of all other knowl- 
 edge. As a result life in all its 
 abnormal details has been analyzed 
 and dissected as never before in 
 the history of the world, with the 
 further result that things have 
 been magnified and distorted ont 
 of all relation to each other. This 
 microscopic scrutiny of things ab- 
 normal and the neglect of the nor- 
 mal have developed what may be 
 called the corrective treatment as 
 opposed to the preventative treat- 
 ment in remedying diseased con- 
 ditions. Thus handicapped, men 
 of science do not treat causes ex- 
 cept in the light of effects. They 
 
22 STRONG EYES 
 
 have followed the erroneous conclu- 
 sion that the elimination of effects 
 is the same as the destruction of 
 causes; that corrective remedial 
 agencies are efficacious even if they 
 ignore the causes, and the fact that 
 there is an ever active tendency in 
 the body to cure itself if allowed 
 an opportunity is almost universal- 
 ly ignored. 
 
 As a consequence of this error, 
 we find in this special line, not only 
 adults but children depending 
 upon artificial means for relief from 
 the effects of imperfect vision. In- 
 stead of prescribing a rational con- 
 stitutional treatment for weakness 
 and defects of the eyes — absolutely 
 the only means that can bring 
 
STRONG EYES 23 
 
 about a proper adjustment of ner- 
 vous system of which the sense of 
 sight is an important part — the 
 "specialist" recommends the em- 
 ployment of local correctives, the 
 final effect of which is to perma- 
 nently impair if not absolutely de- 
 stroy, the organ subject to such 
 treatment. 
 
 In illustration of the inefficacy 
 of the local corrective treatment, 
 may be cited the name of Charles 
 Broadway Rouss, the Merchant 
 Prince, and Joseph Pulitzer, Editor 
 and owner of the New York World. 
 
 The case of Mr. Rouss is par- 
 ticularly interesting. From the 
 beginning of his trouble he has 
 consulted the greatest specialists 
 
24 STRONG EYES 
 
 in the world, he has employed an 
 "understudy" npon whom all op- 
 erations were performed to test 
 their efficacy before being tried on 
 himself. He has offered fabulous 
 sums to anyone who could save 
 him from total blindness, but with- 
 out avail. With his body grad- 
 ually weakening, not only his 
 muscular system by his entire ner- 
 vous organization gradually deter- 
 iorated. The blood under these 
 circumstances loses its virility and 
 healing power and in his case a 
 decadence of visual power began 
 that no treatment ever benefited 
 for the reason that the necessity 
 for up-building the entire bodily 
 structure was never recognized. 
 
STRONG EYES 25 
 
 Milton blind could scarcely ap- 
 preciate the value of good eye sight 
 to one living the strenuous life of 
 to-day. The complexity of con- 
 temporary social life, the diversity 
 of interests of the Twentieth Cen- 
 tury, intellectual, industrial and 
 artistic, were undreamed of by the 
 greatest of Milton's time. Com- 
 petition has never been so keen, 
 the draft made upon the energies 
 and capabilities of the individual 
 has never been so great as at pres- 
 ent, and he whose visual powers 
 are threatened is indeed an object 
 of universal commiseration. What 
 is left for the blind when thousands 
 of otherwise sound and capable be- 
 ings are disqualified for the field 
 
26 STRONG EYES 
 
 of labor by a comparatively trifling 
 defect of vision? Should the en- 
 tire male population of the United 
 States make application for certain 
 classes of railway employment, 
 color blindness alone would dis- 
 qualify at least five per cent, or 
 more than two millions of people. 
 If to color-blindness be added rayo- 
 pia, astigmatism and hyperopia, at 
 least double that number w r ould 
 have to starve so far as our great 
 railroad corporations are concerned. 
 Nor is railroading alone the only 
 field of labor from which the man 
 of defective vision is excluded. « A 
 large army of men are employed in 
 illustrating of various kinds; in 
 the plants of corporations engaged 
 
STRONG EYES 27 
 
 m the production of posters for 
 advertising purposes to which may 
 be added photographers, artists, 
 landscape gardners and others, all 
 of whom depend for their daily 
 bread on unimpaired eyesight. 
 
 The magnetic power that many 
 possess may likewise be traced to 
 the same source. To sedulously 
 care for the eyes should then be 
 one's first duty. It is the first of 
 all the organs of special sense. Be- 
 fore adopting any course of cor- 
 rective treatment, every natural 
 means of securing relief by 
 strengthening the nervous system 
 should be conscientiously tried. 
 When satisfied that the cause of 
 the trouble is not in the general 
 
28 
 
 STRONG EYES 
 
 nervous system, other methods can 
 then be tried. 
 
'Her eyes are homes of silent prayer.'' 
 
 — Tennyson, In Memoriam 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 DULL EYES. 
 
 Nearly everyone has observed 
 the peculiarly lustreless and ex- 
 pressionless condition of the eyes 
 of an intoxicated person. They 
 roll heavily and meaninglessly in 
 their sockets, devoid of expression 
 and fire. This proves most con- 
 clusively how intimate is the con- 
 nection between the nervous sys- 
 tem and the eyes. In fact the eyes 
 like the tongue are a fair index of 
 29 
 
30 STRONG EYES 
 
 the condition of one's stomach, 
 whether that condition be induced 
 by intemperate indulgence in 
 drugs, liquor, tobacco, or by over- 
 work, improper food or gormandiz- 
 ing. 
 
 If the functions of the various 
 organs are properly performed 
 blood is furnished to the eyes in 
 all its purity. The eyes nourished 
 with pure rich blood are brilliant, 
 healthy and strong. But if the 
 defecting organs are slow and tor- 
 pid in their functions, a sluggish 
 circulation of impure blood follows, 
 and the eyes, along with the other 
 bodily organs, grow weak and dull. 
 Imperfect digestion and general 
 nervous debility affect the power 
 
DUU, EYES 31 
 
 of the eyes for usefulness as well 
 as their appearance. — So true is 
 this, that one may safely assert 
 that nearly every case of defective 
 vision not caused by intemperate 
 use is made possible by the gen- 
 eral debility of the whole system 
 rather than the local causes usual- 
 ly blamed. The futility of apply- 
 ing local remedies thus becomes 
 manifest. They fail to remove the 
 cause of the trouble. To the true 
 occulist the eyes should be, as in 
 fact they are, the thermometer of 
 health; and the first step in the 
 diagnosis of every case submitted 
 for treatment should be a careful 
 investigation of the patient's gen- 
 eral physical condition- If, upon 
 
32 STRONG EYES 
 
 examination, it be found that lie 
 is suffering from pronounced gen- 
 eral debility, the very first efforts 
 should be directed towards the cor- 
 rection of that and towards the es- 
 tablishment of a healthy nervous 
 tone. 
 
 A prescription consisting of a 
 simple nutritious and obstemious 
 diet, fresh air and exercise, to- 
 gether with the local and other 
 treatment advised, will usually re- 
 store the eyes. 
 
"His dark, pensive eye, 
 
 Speaks the high soul, the thought sublime, 
 
 That dwells on immortality." 
 
 — Charlotte Elizabeth 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 WEAK EYES. 
 
 Leaving out physical weakness 
 one of the chief causes of weak 
 eyes is overwork. To persist in 
 fine needlework when the eyes have 
 registered a protest; to read fine 
 print, or coarse print on inferior 
 paper; to strain the eyes by at- 
 tempting to read in a dim light, is 
 but to court disaster for the visual 
 
 33 
 
34 STRONG EYES 
 
 powers. Strained eyes like sprained 
 ankles cannot be cured in a day, 
 nor by the application of local 
 remedial agents alone. Time, rest, 
 general nervous relaxation, assist- 
 ed by physical culture, dietetic and 
 general constitutional treatment 
 can alone effect a cure. 
 
 The eyes are weakened frequent- 
 ly by the cumulative effect of per- 
 sistent abuses, and only by per- 
 sistence in the opposite course can 
 relief be secured. Let us take for 
 instance the weak eye resulting 
 from a disregard of optical require- 
 ments. Thousands of school chil- 
 dren sit with the light pouring 
 through uncurtained windows 
 sheer into their eyes, week after 
 
WEAK EYES 35 
 
 week, and month after month re- 
 gardless of the well-known evil 
 effect snch a practice mnst inevi- 
 tably produce. Even the most ig- 
 norant of amateur Photographers 
 would not think of turning his 
 camera towards the sun to secure 
 acceptable impressions of even the 
 largest of objects; but a silly and 
 reckless school board will so ar- 
 range desks that it becomes neces- 
 sary for the pupil to turn a far 
 more delicate instrument directly 
 towards the light of day in order 
 to learn to read and write. 
 
 Just as the sensation film in a 
 camera is impaired, if not ruined 
 by the untempered rays, so the 
 more delicate retina of the eye 
 
36 STRONG EYES 
 
 suffers from the same cause. For- 
 tunately the eye is able usually to 
 recuperate, to repair the tissues 
 abused, otherwise the injury 
 would be immediate and irrepara- 
 ble. Bnt even the recuperative 
 powers of youth are frequently ex- 
 hausted, and thousands of young 
 people leave school with a defective 
 vision that the simplest regards for 
 light requirements might have 
 made impossible. 
 
 As before stated, eyes are not 
 weakened in a day, nor are they 
 cured in a day. For years a mother 
 sews by a dim inadequate light. 
 She does not rest when they feel 
 fatigued. At length her eyes give 
 out. She consults an occulist, who 
 
WEAK EYES 37 
 
 prescribes and furnishes spectacles 
 and she considers herself cured. 
 Little does she realize that she has 
 but made use of a crutch for the 
 eyes. For the time being they 
 enable the eyes to continue their 
 work with less effort, but at the 
 same time the very condition they 
 were prescribed to relieve is made 
 chronic. The crutch becomes a 
 permanent necessity and like the 
 man who acquires the habit of 
 using stimulants, the magnifying 
 power of the glasses must be made 
 gradually greater to accommodate 
 the constantly increasing demand 
 made upon them. The ultimate 
 effect of all this in many cases is 
 permanent weakness of the eyes 
 
3b STRONG BYES 
 
 and not infrequently total blindness 
 is ultimately induced. 
 
 As the treatment for dull eyes 
 is fresh air, exercise, proper diet, 
 and the adoption of rational hy- 
 gienic means for constitutional up- 
 building described and illustrated 
 in succeeding chapters, so the 
 proper measures to observe for rem- 
 edying weak eyes are the same, 
 supplemented by ample rest when 
 the eyes are fatigued and a due 
 regard for position and light re- 
 quirements when the eyes are 
 being used. 
 
"Eyes that were fountains of thought and 
 Song." 
 
 — Bayard Taylor, 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 CRIPPLED EYES. 
 
 Eyes may be crippled in many 
 ways. The excessive use of tobac- 
 co or any nerve stimulant will if 
 long continued make them either 
 dull or weak, and frequently both. 
 Fine needlework, if persisted in 
 after the eyes are irritated by fa- 
 tigue, will impair the most perfect 
 vision in a few months. Dim 
 lights should also be avoided when 
 
 39 
 
4 o STRONG EYES 
 
 using the eyes. Reading when in 
 a reclining position is said to be 
 injurious, though if great care be 
 maintained to properly adjust the 
 light and book or paper, no serious 
 harm should result from this. The 
 light should fall directly on the 
 paper and should be shaded from 
 the eyes, though where the paper 
 throws a strong reflection, care 
 should be used to turn this away 
 from the eyes, and as soon as the 
 least fatigue is experienced, they 
 should be given a few minutes rest 
 by closing the lids. Pain is Na- 
 ture's great danger signal, and 
 when it is ignored serious weak- 
 ness of the abused organs are sure 
 to result. 
 
CRIPPLED EYES ** 
 
 Another important cause of 
 crippled eyes is the nse of glasses 
 in order to read. They should be 
 removed, invariably when not read- 
 ing — in fact, should be worn as 
 little as possible at all times. 
 Eyes that are born defective, short- 
 sighted, long-sighted, astigmatic, 
 instead of being treated by rational, 
 constitutional methods, both of hy- 
 giene and massage, are supplied 
 with glasses. While this method 
 temporarily relieves the inconven- 
 ience resulting from defective 
 vision, it simply intensifies and 
 makes chronic the defect in the 
 end. The reason for this is plain. 
 Under these abnormal conditions 
 the blood is usually deficient in 
 
42 STRONG EYES 
 
 the elements essential to the proper 
 nourishment of the eye, and glasses 
 are absolutely the worst remedy 
 that can be adopted. Take the 
 arm, for instance, and decrease the 
 efforts required of the muscles and 
 as a consequence the flow of blood 
 to them decreases. The arm grows 
 smaller and weaker day by day. 
 Identically the same conditiou ex- 
 ists in the eyes. After glasses of 
 a certain character are worn for a 
 while, it becomes as difficult to see 
 with them as it formerly was to 
 see without them. The blood is 
 not of proper quality or perhaps 
 does not properly circulate through 
 the tissues and nervous system of 
 the eyes. They grow gradually 
 
CRIPPLED EYES 42 
 
 weaker. If the cause of your 
 trouble is not removed glasses of 
 still greater power must finally be 
 used. Like one who is a slave to 
 stimulants, the quantity or 
 strength must be continually in- 
 creased to bring about similar ef- 
 fects. Thus is the end defeated 
 by the means employed and the 
 defect that was to be remedied, 
 if not made worse, is always made 
 chronic by this false theory of 
 treatment. 
 
 Among the numerous complica- 
 tions induced by the wearing of 
 spectacles may be mentioned one 
 which, though of interest to all, is 
 of especial importance to women. 
 
44 STRONG EYES 
 
 Spectacles destroy the beauty 
 and expression of the eyes. 
 Imagine Helen of Troy with 
 glasses. Put spectacles on the 
 Venus of Milo or the Apollo 
 Belvedere! What could be more 
 ridiculous? Spectacles lessen the 
 power of the eyes to portray cha- 
 racter, they take away the force 
 and ardor from spoken words. 
 
 There is no excuse in the great 
 majority of cases, for the wearing 
 of glasses at all. Proper attention 
 to the methods here presented for 
 strengthening the eyes will in 
 every instance ultimately bring 
 about satisfactory results, though 
 it would be well to remember that 
 improvement must not be expected 
 
CRIPPLED EYES 
 
 45 
 
 in a day or two, or even in a week 
 or two. In some instances a slight 
 improvement may be noted in a 
 few days, but ordinarily it will 
 take at least a month of persistent 
 treatment to show a decided change 
 for the better. 
 
•Thine eyes are springs in whose serene 
 Ana silent waters Heaven is seen." 
 
 -lb. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 DISEASED EYES. 
 
 There are many diseases of the 
 eyes. Attention will be called 
 to a few of the most common 
 forms — how they are induced and 
 how they may be cured. 
 
 Congestion of the conjunctiva of 
 the eyes is often caused by expos- 
 ing the eyes to the irritation of 
 smoke, or even of strong winds. It 
 is also occasioned by straining the 
 eyes in looking at minute objects, 
 46 
 
DISEASED EYES 47 
 
 or by reading without sufficient 
 light. Though it may apparently be 
 brought about by any one of these 
 local causes, the general physical 
 condition has a great influence. If 
 the blood is in a bad condition, full 
 of impurities, it will take but 
 slight irritation to produce inflam- 
 mation, but if otherwise, the eyes 
 can bear a great amount of ill usage 
 without noticeable harm. 
 
 The value therefore of constitu- 
 tional treatment in this trouble is 
 important and suggestions in ref- 
 erence to this should be rigidly 
 followed. In local treatment the 
 eyes should frequently be given a 
 bath in moderately cold salted 
 water as described in chapter to 
 
4$ STRONG EYfiS 
 
 follow. This may be supplemented 
 by the application of wet cloths to 
 the eyes, changing them as fre- 
 quently as occasion may require. 
 The patient must rest the eyes as 
 much as possible. Avoid reading 
 in a poor light or straining the 
 eyes with fine sewing or fine print. 
 This practice often does much to- 
 wards influencing the trouble, and 
 the causes must be eliminated be- 
 fore a permanent cure can be af- 
 fected. 
 
 Catarrh of the eye is the result 
 of a prolonged continuation of sim- 
 ilar conditions to those that pro- 
 duce congestion. Those suffering 
 from this complaint, often feel as 
 if sand were in the eyes. In the 
 
DISEASED EYES 49 
 
 early morning the lids are frequent 
 ly stuck together so firmly that 
 great difficulty is experienced in 
 opening them. Constitutional and 
 local treatment as advised for con- 
 gestion with a complete rest for 
 the eyes is unquestionably about 
 the best treatment for this trouble. 
 When the lids are .swollen and the 
 eyes red and hot, an eye bath in 
 salted water may be employed to 
 advantage several times a day. If 
 inflammation is especially severe, a 
 weak solution of sulphate of zinc, 
 not over one grain an ounce of water 
 may sometimes be used beneficial- 
 ly. Two or three drops should 
 be allowed to fall into the eyes two 
 or three times each day. Poultices, 
 
50 STRONG EYES 
 
 eye waters, and remedies of that 
 nature should all be avoided. Burn- 
 ing of the lids can nearly always 
 be alleviated by an eye bath. 
 
 Trachoma, or granulation of the 
 eyelids, is a condition in which the 
 mucous membranes of the lids be- 
 come thick and rough in conse- 
 quence of little granular lumps on 
 the lids. It is 'generally the result 
 of improper treatment of the eye 
 when inflamed, but more frequent- 
 ly arises from disorders of the 
 stomach and liver resulting from 
 improper diet, lack of outdoor ex- 
 ercise, etc. In treatment for this 
 disease, the patient should observe 
 the general rules for constitutional 
 treatment, using the greatest care 
 
DISEASED EYES 51 
 
 in his diet, discarding tea, coffee 
 and stimulants generally (includ- 
 ing tobacco) and also fat meats anc 
 pastry. The more abstemious the 
 patient is and the more simple and 
 nutritious the food, the better. In 
 the treatment of all these troubles 
 the eyes should be carefully pro- 
 tected from very bright lights. 
 
 Styes are a very painful species 
 of small boils that form generally 
 on the edge of the eyelids. The 
 disease usually follows the course 
 of ordinary boils, and is nearly 
 always brought about through con- 
 stitutional causes, general debility 
 a disordered stomach, etc. If treat- 
 ment is begun at first sign of their 
 appearance; they may be absorbed 
 
52 STRONG EYES 
 
 without suppuration, but if well 
 started relief may be secured more 
 speedily by allowing them to come 
 to a head. Usually they will open 
 themselves when ready to discharge 
 the pus, though in some cases re- 
 lief can be secured more speedily 
 by opening with a lance. A per- 
 manent cure can be affected only 
 by adopting constitutional treat- 
 ment. Pimples and tumors of the 
 eye are nearly always produced by 
 abnormal pl^sical conditions, and 
 can be cured by the same methods 
 as advised in treating styes. 
 
 Spasm and twitching of the eye- 
 lids are spasmodic effections of the 
 muscles that close the lids. They 
 are due, chiefly, to general nervous 
 
DISEASED EYES 53 
 
 weakness, though the presence of 
 foreign bodies in the eye will often 
 cause severe spasms. When due 
 to the presence of any irritating 
 substance, the cause of course 
 should be first removed; but when 
 due to constitutional causes, the 
 regular treatment for building up 
 the general health should be adopt- 
 ed. The exercise of tightly clos- 
 ing the eyes should be taken fre- 
 quently. The eye bath should be 
 used two or three times per day. 
 
 Muscae Volit antes — Specks be- 
 fore the Eye. Frequently persons 
 are annoyed by specks, or by what 
 sometimes resemble cobwebs, float- 
 ing before the eyes. This is due, 
 as a rule, to the imperfect refrac- 
 
54 vSTRONG EYES 
 
 tion of light by the vitreous humor 
 of the eye consequent upon certain 
 changes of cell structure. The 
 only treatment for this complaint 
 is to purify the blood and build by 
 constitutional means. Rich foods, 
 condiments, alcoholic drinks and 
 tobacco, should especially be 
 avoided. 
 
 Cross-Eyes — One is said to be 
 cross-eyed when one, or when both 
 eyes, turn in toward the nose. 
 Specialists claim that in the 
 majority of cases this condition can 
 be entirely corrected only by a 
 surgical operation; but in number- 
 less cases excellent results are ob- 
 tained by employment of constitu- 
 tional treatment, massage and eye- 
 
DISEASED EYES 55 
 
 baths suggested later on in this 
 work. 
 
 Diseases of the Cornea — Many 
 diseases come under this head such 
 as Paunus, ulceos and opacities of 
 the cornea, etc. In nearly every 
 instance affections of this character 
 are directly traceable to constitu- 
 tional causes, general debility re- 
 sulting from poor digestion, over- 
 indulgence in alcoholic liquors, ex- 
 cessive use of tobacco, etc. This 
 being true, the treatment to be 
 pursued suggests itself. It should 
 be constitutional and rich foods, 
 condiments, liquors and tobacco, 
 should be discarded. This, with 
 exercisers that tend to strengthen 
 
56 STRONG EYES 
 
 and improve the nervous tone, will 
 afford relief. 
 
 Diseases of the Iris — Iritis. This 
 is a most painful disease, it being 
 frequently confounded with neural- 
 gia. The eyes become congested 
 and the lids swollen. Feverishness 
 and a want of appetite often accom- 
 pany the disease. The pupils fail 
 to expand and contract readily 
 under the influence of strong light, 
 and unless great care is taken the 
 affection is likely to become 
 chronic. The chjef thing to be 
 feared, in this disease, is perma- 
 nent contraction of the pupil. This 
 is best prevented by frequent eye- 
 baths, a very abstemious diet and 
 general constitutional treatment. 
 
DISEASED EYES 57 
 
 Application of hot and cold cloths 
 alternately to the eye will usually 
 assuage the pain. The patient 
 should be careful not to use the 
 eyes more than is absolutely neces- 
 sary. 
 
 Diseases of the Pupil — Mydriasis 
 — Myosis — These diseases, respec- 
 tively unnatural dilitation and un- 
 natural contraction, of the pupils 
 of the eyes, may result from paraly- 
 sis of one of the nerves of the eye, 
 from rheumatism or from syphilis. 
 Eye massage and eye-baths, in con- 
 nection with the constitutional 
 treatment recommended in this 
 work, will do much to relieve this 
 affection. Under any circum- 
 stances, the best that can be done 
 
5 8 STRONG EYES 
 
 is to strengthen and improve the 
 general physical and nervons con- 
 dition, the great majority of these 
 affections being attributable more 
 to general debility than to any 
 specific local cause. 
 
 Cataract — This is a disease dur- 
 ing the course of which the crys- 
 talline lens gradually loses its 
 transparency. Eventually total 
 blindness is the result. There is 
 supposed to be no remedy for this 
 disease but the surgeon's knife, 
 although persistence in constitu- 
 tional methods of treatment with 
 frequent eye-baths will no doubt 
 remedy the trouble if commenced 
 in the early stages. 
 
DISEASED EYES 59 
 
 Diseases of the Choroid, Retina 
 and Optic Nerve — Diseases of these 
 structures are generally caused by 
 the excessive use of alcoholic stim- 
 ulants and tobacco. Use of them 
 should be dispensed with and every 
 effort should be made to improve 
 the general health and physical 
 tone. Little if any improvement 
 can be expected from any other 
 than the constitutional treatment 
 recommended in these pages. 
 
 Miscellaneous Diseases — By care- 
 fully reading the description of the 
 particular treatments advised for 
 the various weaknesses and defects 
 of the eyes you will note that they 
 are almost identical. If the blood 
 is purified, the entire nervous sys- 
 
60 STRONG EYES 
 
 tern strengthened and the system 
 of special eyes exercises taken reg- 
 ularly in combination with the eye- 
 bath and massage no matter what 
 may be the defect or weakness of 
 your visual powers, gradual recov- 
 ery is almost certain, and any de- 
 fects of the eyes that I may have 
 failed to mention can be treated lo- 
 cally and constitutionally as here 
 advised with almost absolute surety 
 of ultimate recovery. 
 
"Those eyes— among thine elder friends 
 Perhaps they pass for blue; 
 No matter— if a man can see, 
 What more have eyes to do? 
 
 — O. W. Holmes. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 CONSTITUTIONAL TREAT- 
 MENT. 
 
 The subject of constitutional 
 treatment for strengthening the 
 eyes, though a gradual strengthen- 
 ing of the nervous system by build- 
 ing up the general health, is a very 
 extensive one. Only a few of the 
 most important facts in reference 
 thereto can be mentioned here. 
 For more extensive information 
 61 
 
6* STRONG EYES 
 
 along this line would refer the 
 reader to "Strength from Eating" 
 and other books of mine that treat 
 the subject more in detail. But 
 in order to make this treatise com- 
 plete in itself, the most salient 
 points of the method recommended 
 will be stated. 
 
 It requires more energy to be 
 sick than to be well. If one is 
 strong enough to resist illness and 
 live, he is strong enough to recover 
 normal health. In order to bring 
 about this result, to take exercise 
 of some kind is necessary. Out- 
 door exercise is, without question, 
 the best. It builds muscular and 
 nervous tone by purifying the 
 blood and accelerating the circula- 
 
CONSTITUTIONAL TREATMENT 63 
 
 tion; assists the digestive processes 
 and strengthens the entire nervous 
 system. It is often difficult for one 
 to secure all the advantages aris- 
 ing from an out-door life, and some 
 complete system of exercise for de- 
 veloping and strengthening all 
 parts of the body should be used 
 daily. Open the windows wide to 
 the light and air when exercising. 
 Do not fear cold air. There is lit- 
 tle danger of catching cold when 
 exercising, no matter how strong 
 the draught may be. And the 
 smaller the amount of clothing 
 worn during these exercises, the 
 better will be the results attained. 
 Clothing not only interferes with 
 the muscular movements, but it 
 
64 STRONG EYES 
 
 lessens the tonic effect of the aii 
 upon the skin. The exercises 
 should be as simple as possible and 
 still effectively use all the muscles. 
 Each movement can be practiced 
 until a slight feeling of fatigue is 
 experienced. 
 
 It should be always borne in 
 mind that however beneficial in- 
 door exercise may be it can never 
 replace out-door exercise. 
 
 To obtain the full benefit from 
 exercise, daily walks in the open 
 air are emphatically insisted on. 
 Remember that no matter what 
 kind of a contest an athlete may 
 be training for, he always considers 
 long walks a necessary part of his 
 training. Walking seems to have a 
 
CONSTITUTIONAL TREATMENT 65 
 
 peculiarly strengthening effect up- 
 on the vitalforces, making more vig- 
 orous and healthier every part of 
 the body. Therefore do not under 
 any circumstances neglect this all- 
 important factor — long walks in 
 the open air. When taking these 
 walks it is advisable to wear as lit- 
 tle clothing as possible consistent 
 with warmth and a due regard for 
 the conventions. The air should 
 come into direct contact with the 
 body as much as possible, in order 
 to secure the full benefit of the 
 tonic effect. Furthermore clothing 
 interferes with the free movements 
 of the limbs and muscles, thus 
 vastly decreasing the beneficial ef- 
 fects of exercise. But under no 
 
66 STRONG EYES 
 
 circumstances should a vail be 
 worn. There are countless instan- 
 ces of serious impairment of vision 
 from the use of this article. Of 
 course whenever possible these 
 walks can be taken in such games 
 as golf, tennis, and the like. In 
 taking these walks, energy and life 
 should be given to every move- 
 ment. One should walk as if there 
 was an object in view. If you have 
 no object try and make one. In 
 fact, the more play spirit that can 
 be introduced into your exercise, 
 the more pronounced will be the 
 benefit. In walking, keep the. 
 shoulders back, the chest high, and 
 at frequent intervals inhale deeply, 
 expanding the chest to its fullest 
 
CONSTITUTIONAL TREATMENT 67 
 
 proportions. An excellent exer- 
 cise is to inhale to the limit and 
 after a moment's pause, to exhale 
 still more, emptying the lungs as 
 much as possible. Then inhale, 
 filling the chest to its greatest ca- 
 pacity. If this practice be per- 
 sisted in, to keep warm will 
 be an easy matter, even though 
 lightly clothed. Under these cir- 
 cumstances, the inhalations will 
 be deep and full and the quantity 
 of oxygen supplied to the blood to 
 generate warmth will be vastly in- 
 creased. 
 
 In connection with the exercise 
 suggested, baths, taken at regular 
 intervals and with sufficient fre- 
 quency, will be found beneficial. 
 
68 STRONG EYES 
 
 The skin is covered with innumer- 
 able little pores which continually 
 exude poisonous matter. If they 
 become clogged or unable to per- 
 form properly their functions, the 
 system is called upon to find other 
 means to eliminate these impurities. 
 The result of this is not infre- 
 quently a complication of serious 
 diseases. The quantity of fluid 
 matter daily exuded by the skin 
 is no small item and the neces- 
 sity for frequent baths becomes 
 manifest. At least two or three 
 hot baths should be taken every 
 week, plenty of soap being used 
 in these occasions, and the skin 
 should be rubbed thoroughly so 
 all extraneous substances will be 
 
CONSTITUTIONAL TREATMENT 69 
 
 removed. One should not remain 
 in the water over ten or fifteen 
 minutes. The best time for hot 
 baths is after exercising and im- 
 mediately before retiring, as the 
 feeling of lassitude following a hot 
 bath tends to quickly induce sleep. 
 Do not remain iu the water too 
 long when taking a hot bath as the 
 effects are often quite enervating 
 under such circumstances. 
 
 Cold baths, on rising in the 
 morning, will be highly beneficial 
 in many cases. It is not wise to 
 leap from the warm bed into a 
 freezing bath without preparatory 
 exercise. Extremes of all kinds 
 should be avoided. One should ex- 
 ercise vigorously immediately after 
 
To STRONG EYES 
 
 leaving the bed, and when the body 
 is in a glow, the bath can be taken. 
 The use of cold water in this wayis 
 a great tonic if the recuperative 
 powers are able to react from the 
 shock of the cold water. 
 
 If there is still a disinclination 
 to a cold plunge after the exercise, 
 the shock can be greatly lessened 
 by taking a preliminary sitz bath 
 for about thirty seconds, wetting 
 the body all over afterwards. Cold 
 baths of all kinds should be fol- 
 lowed immediately by a vigorous 
 rubbing with a rough bath towel 
 until perfectly dry and warm. If 
 after a bath and thorough rubbing 
 there is the least feeling of chilli- 
 ness, one should exercise until 
 
CONSTITUTIONAL TREATMENT 71 
 
 warm. If artificial heat is used 
 under these circumstances the nat- 
 ural reaction of the system from 
 the shock often fails to appear, and 
 one may feel cold for hours under 
 these circumstances. 
 
 It is remarkable how little is 
 known in reference to dietetics. The 
 appalling ignorance of the masses 
 in regard to this vastly important 
 subject unquestionably results in 
 numberless diseases. From the 
 stomach and intestines the whole 
 body draws its nourishment, and if 
 the food supplied is not thoroughly 
 masticated and is not of a character 
 easily converted into life and 
 strength giving elements, the en- 
 tire organism suffers and falls easy 
 
72 STRONG EYES 
 
 prey to diseases. To properly 
 treat the subject of diet would re- 
 quire a large book and for fuller 
 information I would refer to my 
 book previously mentioned. I 
 shall outline a few general princi- 
 ples so my reader can proceed with- 
 out a further study of diet if he so 
 desires. 
 
 There is nothing that outrages 
 the stomach more than the habit 
 of crowding food into it when taste 
 or appetite rebels. One should eat 
 when he is hungry, and at no other 
 time, and though I believe that two 
 meals a day are better than three 
 or more, each individual must de- 
 cide this for himself. Always re- 
 member however, that regularity 
 
CONSTITUTIONAL TREATMENT 73 
 
 in relation to the appetite, and not 
 regularity in relation to the clock, 
 should be rule. But regardless of 
 the number of meals eaten each 
 day, the food must always be mas- 
 ticated until it becomes a liquid be- 
 fore swallowing. The act of swal- 
 lowing will then follow involun- 
 tarily. Further, one shouldmever 
 overeat. If the digestive capacity 
 is exceeded at one meal, it is better 
 to omit the meal following in order 
 to give the stomach ample time to 
 rest after disposing of the overload. 
 In fact, in starting the constitu- 
 tional treatment for the eyes here 
 recommended it is well to adopt a 
 very abstemious diet for at least a 
 short time, as beneficial results are 
 
74 STRONG EYES 
 
 realized very much more quickly 
 under these circumstances. For 
 instance, I should advise that in- 
 stead of eating three meals a day, 
 the diet be confined to one or two. 
 If two meals the first can be eaten 
 at noon, the second in the evening. 
 Do not eat the last meal too late 
 for digestion to be nearly complet- 
 ed before retiring. A good appe- 
 tite is particularly necessary in the 
 beginning of this treatment. Every- 
 thing eaten should be thoroughly 
 enjoyed and masticated. Ample 
 time should be allowed between 
 meals for the thorough absorption 
 of what has been eaten before ad- 
 ditional food is consumed. No 
 especial improvement in the gen- 
 
CONSTITUTIONAL TREATMENT 75 
 
 eral health, or in the condition of 
 the eyes can be expected unless 
 this injunction be duly regarded. 
 It may be well to add that meats 
 or rich foods of any kind should 
 not be too heartily indulged in, and 
 rye, graham or whole wheat breads 
 should be given the preference over 
 the white bread commonly used. 
 
 After persistence for some time 
 in the treatment above outlined the 
 muscles will become stronger and 
 more developed; the general health 
 will be better, and the nervous 
 tone will be greatly improved, and 
 the weakness of the eyes will begin 
 to gradually disappear. It must 
 be clear now to the reader how this 
 treatment must inevitably benefi- 
 
?6 STRONG EYES 
 
 cially affect the eyes. The eyes, 
 like every other part of the body, 
 are nourished by the blood, in fact 
 depend absolutely and unqualified- 
 ly upon the character and quantity 
 of the blood supplied to them for 
 their health and efficiency. It 
 naturally follows that if the blood 
 furnished be free from impurities 
 and rich in nourishment, and in 
 sufficient quantity, the eyes will be 
 strengthened and brightened and 
 greatly improved in every way. In 
 the absence of these conditions, it 
 cannot reasonably be expected that 
 either the eyes or any other organs 
 of the body will adequately meet the 
 requirements imposed upon them 
 by the strenuous life of to-day. 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 MASSAGE OF THE EYES. 
 
 Supplementary to the method of 
 treatment herein advocated for 
 strengthening the eyes by improv- 
 ing the general health and nervous 
 tone, the practice of eye massage 
 has considerable value. The ben- 
 eficial effects of massage for all 
 parts of the body is universally 
 known. It was employed for cen- 
 turies as an invaluable aid to the 
 successful treatment of many forms 
 of disease. It accelerates the cir- 
 
 77 
 
78 STRONG EYES 
 
 dilation of the blood and has a 
 tonic effect upon the nerves. "The 
 professional beauty," so called — 
 women whose sole object in life is 
 to be beautiful — lays the greatest 
 Stress upon the value of massage 
 as a preservative of health and 
 beauty of face and form, and one 
 of the most important duties of the 
 professional athletic trainers is to 
 rub and knead the bodies of their 
 charges. Why, then should mas- 
 sage not be of equal value in the 
 treatment of the eyes? Of course 
 it is dimcult for one to massage the 
 eyes as one would a muscle, but 
 unquestionably they can be 
 strengthened and beautified by the 
 massage process. Massage of the 
 
MASSAGE OF THE EYES 79 
 
 body accelerates the circulation of 
 venous blood, replaces exercise to 
 a certain extent by assisting the 
 system in the elimination of im- 
 purities that would have a deleter- 
 ious effect upon the general health 
 if allowed to remain. Massage of 
 the eyes, of course, would have a 
 similar affect, accelerating the cir- 
 culation of blood in the organs of 
 sight, thereby strengthening and 
 beautifying them. Of the many 
 devices on the market for applying 
 the massage treatment to the eyes, 
 many no doubt are valuable; but 
 the means herein illustrated will 
 prove generally satisfactory. Ine 
 
18o3 E STRONG EYES 
 
 Massaging the muscles of the eyes. 
 Press finger and thumb around socket of 
 eye, pressing as lightly as possible on 
 eye-ball, endeavoring to massage the 
 eye muscles. 
 
MASSAGE OF THE EYES 81 
 
 chief advantage, if any, of me- 
 chanical appliances for this pur- 
 pose is the suction process, which 
 they employ. Exhaust cups are 
 placed over the eyes and the blood 
 is by this means drawn in 
 increased quantities to the parts. 
 But the process of massage 
 with the fingers effects practically 
 the same result, as the blood is 
 forced along by the gradual change 
 of pressure, whereupon new blood 
 flows in to replace that which has 
 been forced along. The massage 
 treatment should follow the eye 
 exercises. If the influence of the 
 massage is at all disagreeable it 
 should be taken only very lightly 
 and for a few moments only. 
 
"Never allow strong medicines to be used 
 
 in the eyes, such as nitrate of silver, sulphate 
 of copper, acetate of lead or the various 
 preparations of calomel. We have seen eyes 
 destroyed in a few hours by poulticing for 
 some insignificant disease of the cornea."— 
 Prof. J. H. Greer, M.D. 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 
 EYE EXERCISES. 
 
 The exercise of the eyes them- 
 selves, or rather the muscles which 
 control the eyes, the reader will 
 readily understand must neces- 
 sarily have a strengthening in- 
 fluence upon the sight. It draws 
 the blood to them and increases 
 their virility by enabling the eyes 
 to secure more and a better qualit}^ 
 of nourishment. Each one of these 
 exercises should be taken as il- 
 lustrated, giving very careful at- 
 tention to the instructions accom- 
 
 83 
 
84 STRONG EYES 
 
 panying each exercise. Whenever 
 the slightest feeling of fatigue is 
 induced, the exercise should im- 
 mediately cease, and after rest- 
 ing a few moments the next one 
 should be attempted. Each exer- 
 cise can usually be taken from ten 
 to twenty-five times. GREAT 
 CARE SHOULD BE USED 
 NOT TO OVERDO THEM 
 THE FIRST FEW TIMES. 
 They should be taken once each 
 day, morning or evening, and 
 should always be followed by 
 slight massage and the eye bath. 
 
EYE EXERCISE 85 
 
 Look far to the right'then far to the left 
 
86 STRONG EYES 
 
 Close eyes tightly as possible several 
 times. 
 
EYE EXERCISE 
 
 »7 
 
 Turn eyes from obliquely upward 
 to the right to obliquely downward to 
 the left. Variation: Roll eyes in a wide 
 
 circle to the right. 
 
88 
 
 STRONG EYES 
 
 Look far upward; then far down- 
 
 ward. 
 
EYE EXERCISE 
 
 89 
 
 Turn eyes from obliquely upward 
 at the left to obliquely downward at the 
 right. Variation: Roll eyes in a wide 
 circle to the left. 
 
9 o 
 
 STRONG EYES 
 
 Eook straight forward and try to 
 clearly distinguish the smallest details of 
 objects at a distance, 
 
CHAPTER XI. 
 
 EYE BATH. 
 
 Following the massage, the eye- 
 balls themselves should be care- 
 fully bathed in salt water to com- 
 plete the treatment. The water 
 used should be of the temperature 
 of that drawn from a hydrant or 
 well. The eye bath can be taken 
 with a cup made for that particu- 
 lar purpose, but the really best 
 method is to fill an ordinary bowl 
 half full of water and then to stir 
 in one heaping tables poonful of 
 saH until thoroughly dissolved. 
 
 91 
 
9 2 STRONG EYES 
 
 The Eye Bath. Ready for the plunge. 
 
EYE-BATH 
 
 Hold the breath, immerse face in 
 water and open and close the eyes 
 several times while under water. 
 
94 STRONG EYES 
 
 Then hold the breath, immerse the 
 face in the water and open and 
 close the eyes several times, allow- 
 ing the eyes to remain in the water 
 as long as the breath can be held. 
 This should be repeated at least 
 two or three times. 
 
 These methods supplementary 
 r.o the general system of treatment 
 for strengthening and beautifying 
 the eyes, if sedulously and consci- 
 entiously practiced cannot fail to 
 prove highly beneficial, and where 
 one has acquired the habit of wear- 
 ing glasses, should make it event- 
 ually possible to entirely discard 
 them. 
 
 Of course this cannot be done at 
 once. It will take time. * How long 
 
EYE BATH 95 
 
 one must persist in the treatment 
 here prescribed before being able 
 to dispense with spectacles, will 
 depend npon a number of canses, 
 chief among which is the general 
 condition of the health and the 
 eyes when the treatment is begun. 
 If the eyes have been abused for 
 years and years, one can hardly 
 expect the trouble to be corrected 
 and the eyes made strong in a few 
 days or even a few months. It is 
 slow process, but if as has been re- 
 peatedly emphasized, the methods 
 herein suggested be earnestly and 
 carefully followed, restoration to a 
 condition of normal health must be 
 only a matter of time. 
 
CHAPTER XII. 
 
 SPECIAL EXERCISES. 
 
 I present herewith illustrations 
 of a few special exercises the efrc* I 
 of which is to strengthen and ac- 
 celerate the circulation to tli£ 
 muscles of the neck. 
 
 These exercises will usually de* 
 velop the muscles quite materially 
 in a short time. They are by no 
 means an absolutely necessary ad- 
 junct of the treatment. They are 
 
 96 
 
STRONG BYES 97 
 
 simply a slight aid as the strength- 
 ening of these muscles draws more 
 and richer blood to them, and in 
 addition the eyes are unquestion- 
 ably strengthened sympathe- 
 tically. It would also be well to 
 note that the exercise of the chew- 
 ing muscles necessary in the 
 thorough mastication of foods will 
 be of aid in adding strength to 
 the eyes. As these muscles ap- 
 proximate perfect condition, the 
 blood also nourishes the adjacent 
 organs and tissues, bringing about 
 in them a corresponding improve- 
 ment. 
 
 Each movement here given 
 should be taken until a slight 
 feeling of fatigue is induced, great 
 
98 SPECIAL EXERCISES 
 
 care being taken not to overdo the 
 exercises when first begun. In 
 the event of soreness of the mus- 
 cles from over-exercise a thorough 
 rubbing of the parts effected will 
 materially lessen the stiffness and 
 :nconvenience resulting there- 
 from, although independent of any 
 treatment, tlȣ soreness will dis- 
 appear in a few days. 
 
STRONG EYES 
 
 While pressing with hand against 
 head bring head from far to the left to 
 far to the right. Same experience at 
 other side. 
 
TO ° SPECIAL EXERCISES 
 
 While pressing against forehead 
 bring head from far backward to far 
 forward. 
 
STRONG EYES 
 
 101 
 
 Turn head from far to the left 
 to far to the right. 
 
io2 SPECIAL EXERCISES 
 
 While pressing downward on bowed 
 head bring head upward and far back. 
 
CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 EXERCISES FOR CONSTI- 
 TUTIONAL TREATMENT. 
 
 These exercises here illustrated 
 can be taken nude in the morning 
 or just before retiring. The will 
 be found of especial value in assist- 
 ing to build constitutional vigor. 
 
 Do not forget the necessity of 
 fresh, pure air, and see that the 
 windows are wide open. 
 
 Continue each movement until 
 slightly tifed. 
 
 103 
 
I0 4 STRONG EYES. 
 
 If you have an exerciser, or are 
 following some good system of ex- 
 ercise similar to that of the writer's 
 wi:h device made for that particu- 
 lar purpose, there will be no neces- 
 sity for taking these movements. 
 The course with the apparatus can 
 take its place. 
 
 Do not forget that the less clothes 
 worn during the exercise the bet- 
 ter. Exercise vigorously, put vim, 
 life, energy, determination in every 
 movement, every effort. 
 
 Exercise No. i. — Assume po- 
 sition as per Fig. i. Hold el- 
 bows at sides, and raise hands up 
 and down quickly forty to sixty 
 times. , Now draw in full breath, 
 all you can, and hold it while you 
 
EXERCISES FOR CONSTITUTIONAL TREATMENT 105 
 
 make twenty movements. Repeat 
 three times. Now flex the mus- 
 cles of arms, and imagine you are 
 lifting a very heavy weight, and 
 bring hands up and down very 
 slowly. This is for developing the 
 arms. 
 
io6 STRONG EYES. 
 
 Exercise No. 2. — Assume posi- 
 tion as per illustration No. 2. Draw 
 in deep inspiration, all you can. 
 Now hold this breath, and, keeping 
 elbows rigid, swing arms quick and 
 
 strong, far backward and forward 
 on a level with shoulders as long 
 
EXERCISES FOR CONSTITUTIONAL TREATMENT. 107 
 
 as you can conveniently retain the 
 breath. Repeat until tired. For 
 expanding the chest and increasing 
 lung power. 
 
 Exercise No. 3. — Stand erect, 
 with feet far apart. Now touch the 
 floor far to the right, as per illus- 
 
 tration; then far to the left. Re- 
 peat exercise from ten to twenty 
 times. 
 
io8 STRONG EYES. 
 
 Exercise No. 4, — Assume posi- 
 tion as per illustration No. 4. Keep 
 knees very rigid, raise hands higli 
 
 as you can over head with elbows 
 rigid, from fifteen to twenty-five 
 times. For strengthening the 
 back. 
 
 Exercise No. 5. — Strongly brace 
 yourself as per illustration No. 5. 
 Now strike out hard and " quick 
 
EXERCISES FOR CONSTITUTIONAL TREATMENT. i°9 
 
 with right and left hands alternate- 
 ly, reaching out as far as yon can 
 at each blow. Continue until tired. 
 
 Connt each time, to see how much 
 you improve in endurance. 
 
no STRONG EYES. 
 
 Exercise No. 6. — Lay flat on the 
 floor, hands on thighs. Now raise 
 to a sitting position, keeping the 
 feet on the floor. If yon have diffi- 
 
 culity at first in holding the feet on 
 the floor, place them nnder a sofa 
 or chair. If the movement is too 
 difficult even then, place one hand 
 on a chair to assist your rising. 
 
 Complete the exercise by tak- 
 ing ten full, deep breaths beibre 
 an open window. Throw should 
 
EXERCISES FOR CONSTITUTIONAL TREATMENT. I I l 
 
 ders far back and hold each breath 
 about twenty seconds. Alwavs 
 breathe through the nose. 
 
 Do not forget the necessity for 
 a walk of about two miles at a fast 
 gait, (not immediately after a 
 hearty meal) increasing the dis- 
 tance for a quarter of a mile each 
 day until you are walking six 
 miles per day. During this walk 
 draw in many deep breaths, 
 occasionally retaining breath for 
 a moment, drawing shoulders up 
 and back as far as you can and 
 holding them in this position. 
 While holding the shoulders thus 
 contract the muscles of the arms 
 and chest as tensely as possible. 
 
 Conclude the movements here 
 
"2 STRONG EYES. 
 
 illustrated each time with a jump- 
 ing exercise similar to jumping a 
 rope, and, if strong enough, jump 
 back and forth over some obstacle. 
 Do not forget to take a hot bath, 
 with plenty of soap and water, two 
 or three times per week, after even- 
 ing exercise, preferred. 
 
 y of the Alamerta 
 Cou. ition ■ 
 
 of Optometrists 
 
aOW HEALTH AND STRENGTH ARE GAINED 
 
 The Three Great Remedies of Nature 
 
 Fasting, Hydropathy and Exercise 
 
 By BERNARR MACFADDEN and 
 
 FELIX OSWALD, A.M., M.D. 
 
 PART I-FASTING. 
 
 Learn to interpret your instincts. Every organism a self-regulat 
 
 Jig apparatus. Nature's protests againsi health-destroying habita 
 Starve a man and you will also starve his diseases. 
 
 One or more meals daily. Brain work interferes with digestion. 
 
 Protracted Fasts. Instances of remarkable cures. Fasting cure. 
 
 Seven-day fast of one of the authors. Its effect o* mind 
 and body. 
 
 HYDROPATHY. 
 
 Co\d, Nature's specific for cure of germ diseases. Hydropathy a 
 crtk-s remedy. The cold water cure. 
 
 Air baths; their remedial effect equals that of cold water. Cold 
 air remedies digestive disorders. Consumptives cured in outdoor 
 
 winter camps. 
 
 EXERCISE. 
 
 Gymnastics substituted for drugs 2,000 years ago. How a Con- 
 sumptive miner was cured. 
 
 Indoor exercise. Gymnasiums. Quick benefits from movement 
 cures. Bag punching, rowing machines, etc. Free movements of 
 sanitaiium exercises illustrated. 
 
 PART IV. 
 
 Detailed advice for treatment of Asthma, Fevers, Biliousness, 
 Blood Disease, Boils, Bright's Disease, Bronchitis, Catarrh, Colds, 
 Constipation, Consumption, Coughs, Croup, Diabetes, Diarrhoea, 
 Diphtheria, Dropsy, Dyspepsia, Eczema, Epilepsy, Erysipelas, Gen- 
 eral Debility, Gout, Grippe, Headache, Indigestion, and other 
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 Bound in Cloth t Postpaid, $1.00 
 
 PHYSICAL CULTURE PUBLISHING CO. 
 
The Virile Powers of Superb Manhood- 
 
 By BERNARR MACFADDEN 
 Assisted by Medical and Other Authorities. 
 
 HOW MANHOOD IS LOST. HOW REGAINED AND DE, 
 VELOPED TO ITS FULLEST PERFECTION. 
 
 Containing a complete, original system of exercise without appar- 
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 There are many good works on this subject, but none are practical 
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 It was written with serious, earnest intent, and it is concise and 
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 Importance of Virile Manhood. Cause of loss of manhood. Mas- 
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 Impotence, from age and other causes. Undeveloped organs. 
 Varicocele. Is Continence Harmful ? Why marriage sometimes 
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 PHYSICAL CULTURE PUBLISHING CO. 
 
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Power and Beauty of Superb Womanhood 
 
 By BERNARR MACFADDEK 
 
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 How Developed to the Highest Degree of Attainable Perfec- 
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 CONTENTS 
 
 Superb Womanhood. —Present Physical Condition of Woman- 
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 — Corsets Weaken Digestion. — Destroy Beauty. -Increase Natural 
 Size of Waist. — Age Women Prematurely and Destroy Womanhood. 
 —Operations that are Crimes -Can Wrecked Womanhood be Re- 
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STRENGTH FROM EATING 
 
 By EERNARR MACFADDEN 
 
 How and What to Eat and Drink to Develop 
 
 Suppleness, Strength and Beauty 
 
 of Body 
 
 Muscular exercise develops strength, providing nourish 
 ing foods are furnished. Knowledge of the elements of 
 which all foods are composed is absolutely essential in 
 order to develop strong and beautiful muscles. 
 
 This book teaches you not only what to eat and drink, 
 but how to eat. It gives you information which the author 
 has collected from fifteen years of study and experimen- 
 tation. 
 
 You spend part of every day in eating. Do you know 
 how and what to eat to build increased strength ? If not, 
 this book will tell you. Read it ! Think as you read, 
 and if the plain truths it contains do not cause you to 
 make radical changes in your diet, return the book and 
 get your money back. 
 
 TITLE OF CHAPTERS 
 
 Appetite. Mastication. Process of Digestion. Air a Food. 
 Three-Meal Plan. Two-Meal Plan. One-Meal Plan. Necessity of 
 Pure Water. Meat, or Mixed Diet. Vegetarian Diet. Raw Diet 
 Cooking of Foods. Food an Occupation. Overeating. Alcoholic 
 Liquors. Alcohol is Not a Food. Drinking at Meals. Coffee and 
 Tea. White Bread Curse. Elements of Foods. Muscle Making 
 Elements. Fattening Elements. Analysis of the various foods made 
 from wheat. Oats and Other Grains. Vegetables. Dairy-Products. 
 Fruits. Meats. Nuts. Fish. 
 
 Bound in Cloth, Prepaid, for $1.00 
 
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