MAN’S EYES.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 October 1924, Page 3

MAN’S EYES.

DANGER OF EXCESSIVE READING. IDBIBALIAN AND N. 7.. CAIU.E ASSOCIATION NEW YORK, October 25. 'l’lie American College of Surgeons elected 536 new Fellows, among whom are 1-1 Australians and 9 New Zealanders. Honorary Fellowships were conferred upon Air Carriole Robertson and Sir I.indo Ferguson (New Zealand) ami Dr.s. Ralph, Worrall, Hamilton, and Russell (Australia). During a clinic Sir Lindo Ferguson sounded a warning against excessive reading. “Eyes.” he said, “were not meant for reading, but intended foi use in jungles, looking out tor wild animals and searching for food. It is onl\ within the last two centuries that reading has become a matter of course for the general public, and it is largely responsible for the great amount of eye trouble to-day. It lias taken mankind millions of years to reach, through evolution, the present .state of civilisation and our eves, in a hundred years, have not caught up with the changing demands made upon them.” The conferment of honorary 1* ellowsh.ips was impressively carried out in the Waldorf Hotel auditorium. Afterwards Dr. Mayo emphasised that the chief purpose of the College is idealism, the elevation of professional standards, and service. He paid a tribute to the work of the trnns-Paeific surgeons. 'I he medical world had sufficient technique but needed ideas, for which the world owed a debt of gratitude to the Australians and New Zealanders, who had erected a milestone on the road of modern surgery. . . Those elected to membership m Die College include Drs. Aicken and Neil (Auckland), Douglas (Hamilton), Collins, Elliott, and Herbert, and Sir Donall Mc.Gavin (Wellington), and Drs. Barnett and Rutherford (Dunedin).