_Moonlight_ (Vol. iv., p. 273.).--The effects of the moonlight on animal
matter is well known to the inhabitants of warm climates. I remember
that when I resided in Bermuda, if the meat (which was usually hung out
at night) was exposed to the rays of the moon it putrified directly. I
was frequently cautioned by the inhabitants to beware of the moon
shining upon me when asleep, as it caused the most dangerous and
virulent fevers. Another curious power of the moonlight was that of
developing temporary blindness, caused by the glare of the sun on bright
objects. I have often seen persons stumbling and walking as quite blind,
in a moonlight so bright I could see to read by; these were principally
soldiers who had been employed during the day working on the fort and on
the white stone. On hearing the surgeon of the regiment mention that
two-thirds of the men were troubled with it, causing a greater amount of
night-work as sentries to the few who were able to see at night, I
suggested to him the following plan mentioned in a story I had read many
years before in _Blackwood_:--
"A pirate ship in those latitudes was several times nearly
captured, owing to all the men being moon-blind at night; the
captain ordered all his men to bind up one eye during the day, and
by this means they could see with that eye to navigate the ship at
night."
My friend the surgeon tried the experiment, and found bandaging the eyes
at night, and giving them complete rest, restored in time their sight at
moonlight.