t they do not injure their eyes by
reading by insufficient light, either daylight or artificial light.
There is a common notion that electric light is bad for the eyes. The
only foundation I can think of for such a notion is that it is trying
to the eyes to gaze directly at the bright electric light. It is bad
to gaze long at any source of light, and the brighter the source of
light gazed at, the worse for the eyes, the sun being the worst of
all. I have seen more than one person whose eyes were permanently
injured by gazing at the sun, during an eclipse or otherwise. As a
matter of fact, nothing short of sunlight is better than the
incandescent electric light to read by or to work by.

READING IN BED.

As to reading while lying down in bed or on a lounge, I can see no
objection to it so far as the eyes are concerned, provided the book is
held in such a position that the eyes do not have to be rolled down
too far. Unless the head is raised very high by pillows, however, it
will be found very fatiguing to hold the book high enough, not to
mention the danger of falling asleep, and of upsetting the lamp or
candle, and thus setting the bed on fire. Many persons permanently
weaken their eyes by reading to pass away the tedious hours during
recovery from severe illness. The muscles of the eyes partake of the
general weakness and are easily overtaxed. Persons in this condition
may be read to, but should avoid the active use of their own eyes.

READING IN RAIL CARS.

Reading while in the rail cars or in omnibuses is to be avoided. The
rapid shaking, trembling or oscillating motion of the cars makes it
very difficult to keep the eyes fixed upon the words, and is very
tiresome. I have seen many persons who attributed the failure of their
eyes to the daily habit of reading while riding to and from the city.
Children should be cautioned against reading with the head inclined
forward. The stooping position encourages a rush of blood to the head,
and consequently the eyes become congested, and the foundations for
near-sightedness are laid.

(_To be continued._)

* * * * *

TESTING INDIGO DYES.

The author deals with the question whether a sample of goods is dyed
with indigo alone or with a mixture of indigo and other blue coloring
matters. His method may be summarized as follows: Threads of the
material in question should give up no coloring matter to boiling
water. Alcohol at 50