on other parts of the
body loose; posture erect, and never read lying down or stooping. Little
study before breakfast or directly after a heavy meal; none at all at
twilight or late at night; use great caution about studying after
recovery from fevers; have light abundant, but not dazzling, not
allowing the sun to shine on desks or on objects in front of the
scholars, and letting the light come from the left hand or left and
rear; hold book at right angles to the line of sight or nearly so; give
eyes frequent rest by looking up. The distance of the book from the eye
should be about fifteen inches. The usual indication of strain is
redness of the rim of the eyelid, betokening a congested state of the
inner surface, which may be accompanied with some pain. When the eye
tires easily rest is not the proper remedy, but the use of glasses of
sufficient power to aid in accommodating the eye to vision.

How and When to Drink Water.

According to Doctor Leuf, when water is taken into the full or partly
full stomach, it does not mingle with the food, as we are taught, but
passes along quickly between the food and lesser curvature toward the
pylorus, through which it passes into the intestines. The secretion of
mucus by the lining membrane is constant, and during the night a
considerable amount accumulates in the stomach; some of its liquid
portion is absorbed, and that which remains is thick and tenacious. If
food is taken into the stomach when in this condition, it becomes coated
with this mucus, and the secretion of the gastric juice and its action
are delayed. These facts show the value of a goblet of water before
breakfast. This washes out the tenacious mucus, and stimulates the
gastric glands to secretion. In old and feeble persons water should not
be taken cold, but it may be with great advantage taken warm or hot.
This removal of the accumulated mucus from the stomach is probably one
of the reasons why taking soup at the beginning of a meal has been found
so beneficial.

What Causes Coughs.

Cold and coughs are prevalent throughout the country, but throat
affections are by far more common among business men. Every unfortunate
one mutters something about the abominable weather and curses the
piercing wind. Much of the trouble, however, is caused by overheated
rooms, and a little more attention to proper ventilation would remove
the cause of suffering. Doctor J. Ewing Mears, who was thus afflicted,
said to an inqui