THE MEDICAL CONGRESS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14900, 13 February 1914, Page 7

THE MEDICAL CONGRESS.

.- TESTEBDATS SESSIONS

IMPORTANT PAPERS READ

:<• • "- (PRESS ASSOCIATION TEUEG&AH.) -•" " AUCKLAND^February 12. . At the Medical Congress today, .a considerable number of" papers of a highly-technical character, and of interest to fow outside the medical profession", -were read and discussed in the various sections. Iβ the section of dermatology And radiology, come expedient demonstrations were and "valuable papers contributed. ■ Dr. McMurray (Sydney) exhibited a series, of lantern slides ehowing the use of radium and X-rays in the treatment of cancer, rodent ulcer, and lupus at the Sydney Hospital, and come wonderfal results were recorded. EYESIGHT IN SCHOOL CHILDREN. - A most interesting paper was contributed by Dr. G. H. Hogg, of Launceston, Tasmania, upon the important flutter of '-eyesight in schoolchildren." Nature intended the eye to be used for distant vision, and not for the near vision and constant etrain ineeparabie tTom school lite. -. The stooping ot tne child's iiead over a task also. inclined tae eyes to strain, and caused the development of any defects to wnich a cam may be predisposed, or the es- • aggeration of any wnich already existed. Any syetem of education which compelled the eyes of children to carry on continuous near work, and to focus fmall.objects at close range lor several hours daily, was more or less unnatural, and -too great care could not be taken 'to avoid as mucii as possible the evil results which the violation of a natural law involved. Dr. Hogg pointed out that for years oculists had spoken and written on this-question, but he was afraid that it was overlooked too often, not only by many in the nieuical profession, but, what was worse, by educatio&ists. In the general lighting of echools windows should be on too left, placed &o that the light entered above the heads of the ohildren, and luminous reflections were avoided. The walls should always be dulled, and not shining, Reds, should not be used, breens and light greys were most resttpl to the eyes, and absorbed little light. The veiling ehould always be wait*. With regard to artificial lighting, the *nter states:—-'I cannot agree with the statement*, often advanced in fav■JJ* of. electric lighting, that its introduction has never been followed by *n increase of eye disease or errors of refraction. Whilst- 1 have never seen *ny serious disease develop, I nave fre9,«enUy noted irritability and weakness «« : th« eyes follow upon the use of elecw» light, especially where metallic laments have been used, and I am it plays a part in some asthenopia faces. I know of no better artificial "gat. than that given by high-grade oil '*mps. School books and paper should always be opaque and of a soft cream finli and , the type o,ear a "d well-dc-A ij anfl nof ' u>o sniaU - Xi £ ht work fibonld not h<. allowed the younger Pupils, and no homework betforo the ago hereto" 5 ' 631 ' 5 WaS a g ° od rule tO ad "