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PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
DIRECTION S
respecting
The Sore Eyes of
New-Born Infants
(Ophthalmia Neonatorum),
by
THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH
2
Purulent Eye Disease of
New-Born Infants.
The Purulent eye disease of infants, often called
" Blight," and sometimes known as " Baby Sore
Eyes," is the most terrible disease which can
afflict infants, and is the most common cause of
blindness among children. Indeed, this has been
found to be the case in 36 out of every 100
children in our schools for blind and partially
blind children. Great, however, as this percentage
is, it is probably understated, for reliable
authorities assert that it is actually nearer to 40
per cent. Jn Germany, Austria Denmark and
Holland, it is calculated to be the cause of the
blindness of 40 in every 100 blind children, and in
Paris of 46. In the United States the ill results
of this disease are much the same, while in the
State of Indiana it has been stated by the State
Board of Health that 72 cases of blindness in
every 100 blind infants under a year old are due
to this preventable disease.
It is lamentable to think that mothers as a rule
are very ignorant about it, although there is one
place, the State of Connecticut in the United
States, where it is said they are so well informed
as to the terrible results of neglecting " Baby sore
eyes" or "Blight ' that they demand that the
doctor or midwife shall use the "drops," which is
a one per cent. solution of nitrate of silver, in every
baby's eyes when born.
The disease usually makes its appearance
from two to three days after birth, but it may
make it earlier, especially when there has been a
long and lingering labour.
1912]
158
METROPOLITAN