Among astronomers and naturalists this organ is susceptible of the most marvellous perfection; when this sense is unpractised, nothing appears distinct, while on the contrary the minutest details are observable.

Sight should be carefully attended to during childhood; the eye easily acquires vicious habits, its exercise is often unvoluntary, and depends on the position taken with regard to light. If in early infancy the cradle is not so placed, that the light may come on one side, and cause the child to look obliquely, its eyes are straight; in the contrary case, a child is almost sure to squint. Various causes have been given for squinting, but one of the most frequent is undoubtedly from the inequality of the muscles of the eye; this inequality is forced when the infant is badly placed, and compelled to make efforts to see from whence the light comes.

It is not only in the cradle, and during early infancy, that this state is manifest, and easily developed, but it is equally so at a later period; the manner in which girls are seated at their writing and drawing lessons, may give rise to the unequal power of the muscles of the eye. It would be well to imitate painters, who seek the north light, and admit it from above.

Squinting often proceeds from imitation, and it is dangerous to place children with governesses or nursery maids, who have this defect, as

children by mockery, or attempt at imitation, easily acquire this habit.

Squinting arising from the unequal action of the muscles, or from imitation, is easily remedied; we some time since cured a lady, of seven and twenty, who had been known with this defect from infancy, and it made so material a difference in her countenance, that her own parents scarcely recognized her.

When squinting proceeds from unequal muscular power, the general rule must be followed, to place and maintain the eyes in their natural position, exercise the weak muscles, and keep the strong ones in repose; this end may be attained by different means, either by employing mechanics to prevent the eye moving in a wrong direction, or in placing it so as it may be retained by will.

The less sight is exercised, the less it is extended; spectacles keep it stationary, but do not strengthen it, and they should not be used without absolute necessity.

Addison says, "our sight is the most perfect, and most delightful of all our senses; it fills the mind with a variety of ideas, converses with its objects at the greatest distance, and continues the longest in action without being tired or satiated with its proper enjoyments."

CHAP. XXX.

On External Applications, Baths, Cosmetics, Stays, and Dress.

ACCORDING to Epictetus, cleanliness is to the body as purity of sentiment is to the soul. The importance of the action of light on living bodies, with regard to the development of shape and colour, as well as the action of caloric on the growth of individuals, and the influence of the air on repose or motion, continually carrying off from living bodies the perspiring fluids, will undoubtedly have been appreciated; it now remains for us to examine the action of divers agents, when brought in contact with the surface of the body.

The skin has numerous sympathies, which are a source of disease, on account of the frequent excitation to which it is liable; our attention to it is therefore not only necessary, on the score of beauty, but on account of health, which is far more essential, as illness and beauty are incompatible.

The functions of absorption and secretion, continually filled by the skin, could not be interrupted, without creating disorder in the whole economy. All external impressions resound internally, either on the lungs or the chest, as all internal impressions, particularly those that take

place in the intestinal viscera, have also their action on the skin. A correct idea may be formed of absorbent functions, by the remedies applied to the surface of the skin, reaching the torrent of circulation.

Bichat has demonstrated, by various experiments, that gas was absorbed by the skin; this property of absorption may account for that of deleterious vapours.

The skin has a constant secretion of vapour, and retains particles of perspiration. They cannot remain on the surface of the body without causing irritation; hence the necessity of a frequent renewal of clean linen and the use of baths.

The air certainly carries off much of the perspiring matter left on the skin; yet any indissolvable particles adhere to it until removed by baths or frictions. Most animals bathe. It is," says

Bichat," a law imposed on all perspiring creatures; in the lower classes of society, labourers and work people are subject to innumerable cutaneous diseases, which have long called forth the sagacity and discernment of many practitioners, and these maladies may be ascribed to want of cleanliness."

A frequent renewal of linen clears the skin from the secreted substances arising from perspiration; and baths would be of considerable use to the poor who are unable to change their clothes often; but, under all circumstances, they

are advisable, not only as conducive to cleanliness, but also to the improvement of the skin.

Plain water is the only cosmetic we recommend to young ladies, either before or after puberty. Warm bathing must not be too frequently resorted to, unless by the advice of a medical man, as it may occasion general debility of the tissues. Water whitens the epidermis; when it is too long in contact with the skin, the ends of the fingers are shrivelled, but when the water is evaporated they return to their natural state. If the face be rubbed with soap and water, it wears out the epidermis, and having over excited the sanguine capillary vessels, renders it rough, and often covered with pimples.

A lady of my acquaintance, was so much in the habit of rubbing her face, that her cheeks, nose, and forehead, when she went in the open air, became so red, that she had all the appearance of a drunkard.

After bathing, friction and shampooing may be of great benefit to young persons, whose skin is affected with atony, and unable to perform its functions; cold baths may also be prescribed, in cases where too great sensibility engenders nervous affections. Baths must not be taken immediately after meals, during digestion, and cold bathing should never be resorted to for persons in a state of perspiration.

Warm baths are generally enervating; if too hot, the pulse beats quickly, respiration is acce