CHARACTER IN EYES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 768, 14 September 1929, Page 18

CHARACTER IN EYES

DOCTORS RECOMMEND TO STUDY GOOD GUIDES TO HEALTH i The study of their patients’ eyes, j ■ ; both for the purposes of diagnosis and | as an indication of the mentality of j ; those with whom they have to deal, is 1 recommended to medical men, b> the author of an article in “La Presse j | Medicale” (Paris). The extraordinary : power of the eye, says this writer, de- j pends not only on the eyeball itself, ; i but results also from all the neigh- : Ijouring features —eyebrows, pupils. lashes, forehead, nose. The eye gets > ! its expression from all the other fea- j I tures together. He goes on to analyse j ! the characteristics of the eye in great ; j detail: —- j “If the face is hidden behind a sheet j | of paper with holes in it, or behind a | j mash that allows only the eyes to be i | seen, it is practically impossible to j divine the expression, real or simuI lated, of the subject; it is also true j | that if the eyes alone be hidden on a , | photograph, the expression cannot be \ I recognised. I “A profound study of the eye from I the physiognomic standpoint would require a volume, for there are a thousand things to be considered in the eyes, and the easiest expressions to understand are the hardest to describe. In studying the physiognomic value of the eyes, we must take ac- i - count successiveli' of their situation i and arrangement, the form, size and i prominence of the eyeballs, the skin, form and motions of the eyelids, the tint and condition of the white, the colour and size of the iris, the degree of opening of the pupil; no detail is to | be neglected; each has its own meaning, and nevertheless plays a part in < the general effect. “The straightforward glance, with eyes well opened, shows frankness, that of the well-balanced man who fears neither to observe nor to show his feelings. “The straightforward glance with eyes parallel, focused on nothing in < particular, with dilated pupils and relaxed features, indicates reverie or distraction. “The fixed glance in a relaxed face reveals insignificance of mind, or indifference. “The fixed glance in a tense face, with frowning brows, is the voluntarily fixed regard of the man of energy. With insistence it becomes a hard expression. “The glance directed upward is that ; of ravishment or ecstasy. i “The glance directed downward, Paul Hartenberg tells us, assumes various meanings, according to the i simultaneous attitudes of the upper , eyelids and of the head. If the upper eyelid is lowered and the neck bent, it shows timidity, humility, or shame; on the other hand, if the head is raised, the glance is pretentious, disdainful, or proud. “A sidewise glance is furtive; it is that of one who is watching while concealing the fact. “A wandering glance is that of distraction; it shows the absence of clear thought and precise attention.” Obsessed persons or monomaniacs, it seems, have a vague eye, never look straight at the person to whom they are speaking, because they are looking inward or are seeking to see something on which their mind has become crystallised. The very mobile glance, directed rapidly to all sides, in an agitated face, we are told, shows inquietude or embarrassment. On the contrary, if the mouth is delicate and smiling, it is the glance of an intelligent and spirited man, whose mind is open to new impressions. Furthermore:— “The distance between the eyes measured from their corners, should equal the length of a single eye. If the eyes are nearer, especially when deep in their sockets, the physiognomy is lively, and easily assumes a wicked expression. Eyes far apart, on the other hand, lose in vivacity, but .gain in calm and gentleness. Among the most cruel peoples, such as the Mongols or certain Arab tribes, the eyes are close together. “The Latins have eyes that are widest apart—an indication, say Billard and Dodel, of a great store of goodwill and of ideality in their characters. “In the normal arrangement of the eyes, the straight line joining one angle to the other is horizontal, but there are frequent variations. “When these lines in the two eyes converge, the eye takes on a look of fineness and vivacity; when there is divergent inclination, when the eyes are noticeably lower toward the temples, they appear less intelligent or sadder. “Eyes deep in their sockets show profundity or energy; they indicate firmness of will. “Eyes moderately protruding are lively, clear, brilliant; when the protrude too much, they give to the whole face an air of stupefaction or confus'on; this is a symptom of certain diseases, such as exophthalmic goitre. “Large eyes are a sign of beauty and intelligence; when the size is excessive it gives to the face an air of unintelligent langour. Large, open eyes show foolishness. Small eyes are not beautiful; when very small and deeply socketed, like those of monkeys, they give an air of wickedness. “The size of the eye depends chiefly on the eyelid. As its edge is straight or curved, the eyes are called ‘almondshaped’ or- ‘round.’ “Almond-eyes indicate sweetness, elegance, a desire to please. Round eyes have more fixity, more energy; they are oftenest met in the square brachycephalous face. “The colour of the iris contributes much to the aspect of the eye; the various shades are usually classified as blue, grey, green, hazel and black. Sometimes the two eyes differ, persons have been known to have one black and one blue eye. “It is difficult to assign a meaning to each shade; in a general way, it is agreed that the eye is clear and blue with the sanguine, dark with the bilious, light with the lymphatic. “A clear Iris is supposed to indicate ease and vicacity; a dark one, whether blue, grey, green, or black.

shows intensity of feeling, energy 0 f will, and profundity of conception. “Eyes of mixed tints indicate excess of feeling, elevation of ideas, but also an irregular and ill-proportioned will, "The white of the eve is of great diagnostic importance; when verv clear and white it is a sign of good health, of easy circulation, of regular life. "A white marked with yellowish threads, marbled with red or blue veins, indicates a hot and unhealthy temper, prone to congestion—a violent character. "The greater or less opening of the pupil Is a valuable element in medical diagnosis. It also furnishes good indications to the physiognomist. This opening is controlled by the great sympathetic nervous system whose tonicity keeps the muscular ring of the screen stretched. “Narrow pupils indicate generally firmness, energy and ambition. Dilated pupils show- physical relaxation, softness. \Ve know that a momentary dilation of the pupils is a sign of lively emotion, of terror. The influence of certain poisons on the pupil explains how it is possible, by simple examination, to judge of one's drinking habits. "These few examples will serve to give an idea of the care with which physicians ought to study their patients’ eyes, not only for diagnosis, but also as an index of the mentality with which they have to deal. “ 'Genius is patience,' says Button; medicine is continual observation. All the passions, the sentiments, have a physical basis; to study the human face, to master the science of physiognomy, is to practise, without laboratory and without apparatus, a simple, but a good and useful, kind of physiology.”