sphere which we must add to this to get the most comfortable vision, first for distance and then for near. To this end starting with the distance correction, leave in place the finding already gotten which is the cylinder selected and the static sphere; set the cross lines chart at oblique axes, put in front of the correction in the frame a cross cylinder plus .50 on a minus .50, which can be supplied by the optical houses mounted on a long handle, and make the axes of this cross cylinder exactly agree with the cross lines on the chart. The patient is to state which of the two shows the blackest and with the clearest edges between the black lines and the white interspaces. Should he say that the lines agreeing in direction with the plus axis. of the cross cylinder are the best, then more plus must be added, which rarely happens; if he says the lines agreeing in direction with the minus axis of the cross cylinder are the best, then the minus spherical power must be added to the correction. To make sure the cross cylinder may be turned in the fingers so as to reverse the comparison with the test lines, when if there is a different result the average of the two observations can be taken. This test will give the sphere, instead of the static sphere previously found, which makes for the easiest vision, and should be the sphere prescribed in the first pair of glasses. The direction of the lines in the test do not necessarily have to be oblique as here stated; they may be set at any angle, the axes of the cross cylinders to be made to exactly agree, but as most eyes are unduly sensitive to the recognition of vertical lines, due to their long practice in reading print, it is better to avoid, as far as possible, the use of lines which are vertical or near thereto. In this test the cross cylinder used forms no part of the correction; it is simply the test lens to find the comfortable sphere. Its action is to blur one meridian myopically and the other hy

peropically to equal extents. This test is based on the idea that when we look at a chart with nothing but crossed lines on it we tend to accommodate for the distance of the chart, or for the chart as a whole, and when by the application of the right lenses we are exactly accommodated for that point which is also the point for which we converge, then the two lines or sets of lines will be seen equally clear, or rather equally unclear, for they are both blurred half a diopter; when this point is reached the two functions are in exact harmony. In this test the patient will usually note one set of lines as narrower than the others, but clearness of edges is the important point.

VISUAL REQUIREMENTS IN U. S. ARMY.

"Vision, as determined by the official test-types, must not fall below 20/40 in either eye, and not below 20/20 unless the defect is a simple refractive error not hyperopia, is not due to ocular disease, and is entirely corrected by proper glasses.

"In the record of all examinations, the acuity of vision without glasses, and also with glasses when the acuity is less than 20/20, will be given for each eye separately; in the latter case the correction will also be noted.

"Hyperopia requiring any spherical correction, anisometropia, squint or muscular insufficiency, if marked, are causes for rejection.

"Color-blindness, red, green or violet. is cause for rejection."

"Applicants may be accepted with a vision of 20/70 in either eye, correctible to 20/40 with glasses, provided that no organic disease exists in either eye." G. O. 256, '07.

Enlisted Men of the Line. Enlisted men of the line of the Army and of the Engineer and Signal Corps, a minimum of 20/40 for the better eye, and of 20/100 for the poorer, provided that no organic disease exists in either eye.

Enlisted men of the Ordinance, Subsistence and Quartermaster's Departments and for the Hospital Corps minimum of 20/70 in each eye correctible to 20/40 with lenses, provided that no organic disease exists in either eye.

Recruits may be accepted for the line of the Army when unable with the better eye to recognize all of the letters on the 20/40 line, provided that they may be able to read some of the letters on the 20/30 line.

Circulars 4 and 5, 1908. Reference to the "better eye" in the preceding requirements indicates the right eye, it having been determined that shooting from the left shoulder is undesirable.

Proposed Requirements. The proposed requirements which have been presented by the commission appointed by General Torney are as follows:

I. Requirements in the U. S. Military Academy.

For Entrance.-A minimum of 6/6

vision in each eye. If hypermetropia be present, as detected by the test lenses, a manifest of more than 1 D. will exclude. The muscle error at 6 meters shall not exceed a hyperphoria of 2°, an exophoria of 5°, or an esophoria of 8°. Color-blindness, red, green or violet, is cause for rejection.

For Graduation.-A minimum of 6/12 vision in one eye and of 6/18 in the other, but capable of being corrected to 6/6 in each eye by proper lenses, is requisite.

Addenda.

Examination shall be made of the eyes of all cadets at the commencement of each academic year and if at any time during the course vision is found to have deteriorated to a degree greater than is required at graduation, the cadet shall be dropped. When a refraction error exists, cadets shall be commanded to wear the glasses prescribed for them. precisely as directed by the medical officer in charge.

II. Second Lieutenant from Civil Life. A minimum of 6/12 in one eye, and of 6/18 in the other, capable of correction in each to 6/6, and a normal color sense are requisite. The muscle error at 6 meters shall not exceed a hyperphoria of 2°, an exophoria of 5°, or an esophoria of 8°.

III. For Promotion.

For advancement through the various grades short of that of major, uncorrected vision must equal at least 6/24 in one eye and 6/30 in the other, and corrected vision, 6/6 in one eye and 6/12 in the other. For promotion to the rank of major and all higher grades no definite visual standard is required. The eyes, however, shall be carefully examined in each case, and if in the opinion of the Examining Board their condition is such that they render the performance of the military duties peculiar to each rank impossible, the officer shall be recommended for retirement.

IV. Medical Corps. For Entrance.-A minimum of 6/18 is requisite in each eye, which is capable of improvement to 6/6.

For Promotion.-Uncorrected vision shall not fall below 6/30 in one eye and 6/60 in the other, and corrected vision shall equal 6/6 in one eye.

V. Hospital Corps.

For entrance and promotion, a minimum of 6/21 is requisite in either eye, which is capable of improvement to 6/6 in one eye and at least 6/12 in the other. VI. Enlisted Men of the Line of the Army and of the Engineer and Signal Corps.

A minimum of 6/12 for the better eye and of 6/30 for the poorer is requisite. VII. Enlisted Men of the Ordnance, Subsistence and Quartermaster's Departments and of the Hospital Corps.

A minimum of 6/21 for the better eye, and 6/30 for the poorer is requisite, correctible to 6/6 and 6/12, respectively.

Other Causes for Rejection. Apart from the visual standards which have just been described, and the restrictions as to muscle error and defects in the color-sense imposed in certain branches of the service, the presence of any structural changes or inflammatory conditions of the eyeball or its adnexa, such as might lead to impairment of vision later, are causes for rejection in all departments of the Army. Candidates whose eyes present merely the results of former inflammatory processes may be accepted, provided the eyes are entirely free from inflammation at the time of the examination, and that they possess the necessary degree of vision, and that the sequelæ of the previous inflammation have entailed no serious impairment in the structure of the eye or its adnexa.

Directions for Carrying Out the Tests.

In testing the degree of visual acuity and of the balance of the extraocular muscle, the candidate must be seated exactly at 6 meters from the charts and the light used in the muscle test, and this distance must never be varied. (Six

meters shall be regarded as equivalent to 20 feet.)

For purposes of uniformity and to guard against the possibility of any deception on the part of the candidates, all tests shall be made with the standard charts issued by the department. These shall be exhibited to the candidate in a good natural or artificial light at a height of 4 or 5 feet from the ground. In the tests made at the Military Academy, the charts shall be illuminated by the Williams battery of electric globes, with daylight excluded from the room.

Each eye shall be tested separately and the examiner must exercise the greatest caution that the eye which is not under examination shall be properly excluded. During the performance of the test the lids must remain naturally open, squinting being prohibited. In the event that the candidate is unable to read all the letters on the line designated as his minimum vision, he will be passed, provided he is able to read three of the letters on the next smaller line with both eyes directed on the chart.

The manifest hypermetropia shall be detected by testing each eye separately, either by the so-called fogging system of first holding a + S. 3 D. or 4 D. lens before the eye and then gradually abstracting from its strength by holding S. lenses before it until 6/6 vision is attained, or by beginning with a + S. 0.25 D. and gradually increasing the strength of the lens until the letters on the 6/6

line are no longer visible.

The muscles of candidates at the Military Academy and of second lieutenants from civil life shall be tested with the Maddox rod, and a set of prisms. Their color-sense shall be ascertained by the tagged Holmgren worsted test of Williams.

L. WEBSTER FOX,

GEORGE E. DE SCHWEINITZ,
MYLES STANDISH,

WILLIAM CAMPBELL POSEY, Chairman.

D

WEIGHING THE BABY.

R. FRANCIS H. MacCARTHY gives in his recent book, the following valuable information as to growth and development of the child during the first year. "During the first three or four days of life, before the flow of milk becomes established, the infant usually loses from five to eight ounces. After nursing begins, however, this is soon regained, usually by the tenth day.

"From this time on through the first three months the infant should gain steadily from five to seven ounces a week. During the next three months the gain is slightly less, varying in different. children from three and one-half ounces to five ounces a week.

"From the sixth to the twelfth month the gain is about three and one-half ounces a week.

"The child with an average weight at birth of seven and one-half pounds would weigh at:

"While most healthy babies gain steadily during the first year, it should be remembered that there are certain times when no gain is made and the weight remains about the same. This may occur while the child has a slight cold or is cutting teeth, and sometimes during very hot weather.

"After the first year the gain in weight is not so continuous, and there are many interruptions which often occur without apparent cause. The weight and height of an infant must necessarily depend to some extent upon heredity and the conditions surrounding the mother before the baby is born. It is apparent, then, that no one rule or table of measurements will apply to all children, and that only average figures can be given.

"Table Showing Weight and Height of the Average Child.

"It is interesting to note that a healthy baby will double its birth weight at five months, and at one year it will weigh almost three times as much as it did at birth.

712

192

Five months

15

:0-8763+32

1

21

22

23

24

242

25

252 26

262 27

272

Nine months Ten months Eleven months

Two years

Three years Four years Five years Six years

Nine years Ten years

52

"Some children may weigh less than the figures in the table and still be in thriving condition, while it is not at all unusual for many children to exceed these figures. When, however, an infant

is very much behind in height and weight the mother should at least suspect that something is wrong, and if in addition to loss of weight the child cries excessively, looks thin and pale, or is constantly sucking its fist, she should seek medical advice."

CARE OF THE NEW BORN.

When urination is delayed immediately following the birth, says a writer in the Nurses' Journal of the Pacific Coast, try a warm sitz bath for the baby and give plenty of water, not too cold, to drink.

When the baby suffers frequently from colic and is troubled with rumbling in the bowels and general restlessness, an irrigation of the colon with salt solution, using a medium sized soft rubber catheter, will usually give relief. The solution should be injected a little at a time and continued till it returns clear.

The weaker the baby the more it becomes exceedingly important to prevent heat loss. To keep the baby thoroughly warm, to prevent chilling at any time, and to keep the supply of air pure, are all important points to be watched.

When the cord remains constantly moist a washing with alcohol, about 95 per cent., will help to improve conditions. The navel should always be regarded as a wound, requiring the most exact surgical cleanliness.

When the baby has difficulty in nursing, the application of a hot fomentation. to the breast before each nursing, over the nipple, will help to lessen the trouble by bringing the milk to the surface.

A great deal can be learned as to the child's condition by carefully observing stools. The normal stool in the newborn is dark green for two or three days, gradually becoming brown. The change from brown to yellow is gradual, and by the end of the first week the stool should be a golden yellow. When a baby is not

getting sufficient food the color of the stools will remain brownish rather than yellow.

CLOTHING THE CHILD.

Mrs. Kellogg, in Good Health, admonishes that many growing children are permanently injured by wearing ill-fitting garments which have been purchased ready made. Such clothing being cut in large quantities after a fixed model and graded according to age rather than size, is sure to be a misfit for the child larger or smaller than the average for his years. Again, these garments are usually made of the same width across both chest and back, whereas to allow for proper expansion of the lungs clothing should be fuller over the chest. Under the restriction enforced through wearing of such garments, correct breathing is impossible.

A similar result is often occasioned by the wearing of partially outgrown garments or such as have become shrunken through laundering. Mothers who would not think of putting a tight corset upon the tender, growing body, often unwittingly harm the child by allowing it to wear tight bands, tight waists and tight sleeves. Constriction of any part of the body through the wearing of clothing which has become tight because of the child's increased size is quite as injuri ous as the wearing of tight garments purposely so constructed.

Mothers need frequently to measure both the child and its clothing. Let the little one don its loose nightrobe, and after placing a tape measure about its waist, allow it to take a full inspiration. Note the number of inches expansion and then adjust the child's garment to correspond with the measure of the full inspiration, allowing an additional inch for growth. Measurements of chest, shoulders and other portions of the body should also be taken and the clothing