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51
The discharges may be carried into the baby's eyes in the
following ways:—
(a) The discharges collect round its eyes, especially the
eyelashes, and easily get into its eyes.
This can be generally prevented if the midwife
observes Rule E 14: "As soon as the child's head is
born, and if possible before the eyes are opened,
its eyelids must be carefully cleansed." They
should be thoroughly wiped with clean material
such as cotton-wool, lint, or rag, using separate
pieces for each eye. The reason for this is that
the piece used for wiping the first eye will be
polluted by the discharges, and should not be
used for the other eye.
(b) Newborn babies sometimes rub their eyes with their
hands. This may rub the discharges into their
eyes. When Rule E 14 has been complied with
the baby's hands must be carefully cleansed.
(c) When the baby is bathed the discharges with which
its body is covered during Labour are washed off
into the bath-water. If its face is washed in this
water, matter may get into the eyes.
N.B.—The above directions are to be observed in all cases
whether purulent discharges are known to be present or not.
The Central Midwives Board is determined, so far as lies
in its power, to secure the strict observance of its rules and
directions, and to punish any failure to comply with them, even
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