This sense has been endowed by nature with special ability and
capacity. The nerves connecting the eye with the brain are eighteen
times larger than those of any other sense. Their capacity to impress
the brain is therefore many times greater. At the same time nature
has duplicated the sense of sight and we have the mind's eye, or
the faculty of visualization, by which we can reproduce the visual
impression, or picture, of the thing which we have seen. This faculty
is one of the important foundations of memory development as you will
see in future chapters.
We are probably more conscious of defects in the operation of the sense
of sight because of the many opportunities for comparison with others.
Children may differ considerably in their vision but any unusual
condition should prompt a consultation with a specialist.
Because of the movement possible in this sense organ and the delicate
muscles which control it, there is the possibility of improvement
by muscular exercise which does not exist in the other senses. The
following exercises will strengthen the eye muscles. They should be
practiced by persons of all ages. It has been found during operations
that some of the eye muscles have been exercised so little that they
have become almost incapable of use.
These exercises are simple, and can be practiced at odd moments, that
would otherwise be wasted.
First--Move the eye horizontally as far as you can to the left and then
to the right. Continue this until there is a feeling of fatigue. No
physical exercise should be continued beyond that point.
Second--Move the eyes vertically as far as you can, up and then down,
trying to extend the range of vision. Continue this alternately until
you feel fatigue.
Third--Roll the eyes from right to left and then from left to right in
as large a circle as possible.
These exercises will keep the eye muscles in a healthy condition. See
to it that the child does not abuse his eyes; that he does not strain
them; always has plenty of light and that it falls upon the page, or
work, that he is doing. Do not overlook indications of eye trouble,
eye pains, inflamed lids, continued recurrence of styes, blood-shot
eyeballs, or pain back of the eyes, all should have the attention of a
doctor. "A stitch in time saves nine."