Tuesday, August 25, 1964 The Frances Hubbard Diaries

August 25, 1964
Tuesday, lovely day, warm, 76.  Took Carol to Cobleskill to have eyes tested.  Sue stayed at Peterson's overnight, she also went to Cobleskill fair with them Wednesday.  David helped a welder and his eyes were burned.  Clifton took him to Doctors at 10:30 pm.  Clifton laid off at Johnstown.  I wrote to Dougie.

Comment:  David get's "welder's flash" and it's painful as hell. ( I got it when I was about 10, watching a welder in the Town Of Gilboa Garage). Working all day around welding without eye protection will burn one's eye even if you do not look directly at the welding. The flash bounces off reflective surfaces and nails you, kinda like how snow blindness occurs. It is very painful. From the web:
"Flash burns are like sunburn in the eye and are also called welder's flash or arc eye. A flash burn occurs when you are exposed to bright ultraviolet (UV) light. Sources of UV light include a welding torch, direct sunlight, reflection of the sun off water or snow, a sunlamp and other lamps including halogen lamps. Treatment may include dilating drops, dressing and antibiotics. Flash burns may cause infection which can lead to vision loss".
Barry Taylor was welding on the same job, I wonder if David was helping him?