SNOW BLINDNESS is a disease to which the inha bitants of the arctic regions are subject; though it sometimes occurs in more southern climates; it gene rally commences with a sensation similar to that of sand or dust getting into the eyes. A solution of ace tate of lead is found to remove the complaint in two or three clays; and its recurrence is prevented by defend ing the eyes either with a piece of crape, or a pair of' snow spectacles. Xenophon informs us that many of the Greek soldiers were blinded by the brightness of the snow in crossing the snowy mountains of Arme nia, between the Euphrates and Phesis, in the middle or winter; and he mentions, that they covered their eyes with something black.
The Greenlanders and Laplanders, who arc espe cially subject to this disease, use a network of black horse hair, a little convex anteriorly. The Esqui maux on the coast of Labrador, use snow spectacles, which consist of a smooth piece of wood like poplar, which is driven on the Labrador coast. The back surface which covers the nose is pretty deeply cut. There is a notch at each side on the lower margin to give passage to the tears. The upper margin of the
front projects to keep off the snow, and to act as a shade. The other side is blackened with soot. The apertures for vision are narrow, and slits are placed horizontally, so as to correspond to the opening of the eye-lids when nearly shut. These spectacles may be used with great advantage by persons with weak or inflamed eyes. This apparatus aids also the sight; and Ellis says, that the savages use it principally to see remote objects more distinctly.
For farther information on this subject, see Xeno phon, Cyrop. iv. 5, p. 296, fourth edition of Hutchin son, Cconbr. 1785. haul Lem, on the Laplanders of Finmark, p. 52. Crantz's History of Greenland, Cart wright's Journal of a Residence in Labrador, vol. i. p. 102. Ellis, p. 143. Chardin's Travels, vol. i. p. 211. Bell of Antermony's Travels. Captain Parry's Voyage, vol. i. p. 84. and M. Blumenbach, in Edin burgh Philosophical Journal, vol. viii. p. 260.