PREVENTABLE BLINDNESS This question can perhaps be best considered at this time, in as much as certain aspects are closely associated with the venereal diseases.
There are approximately 64,00o registered blind in the United States of whom io per cent. owe their blindness to ophthalmia neonatorum, while 59 per cent. of the admissions to special schools for the blind owe their handicap to the same infection. Other causes of blindness are the ophthalmias of later life, syphilis, sympathic inflammations, industrial and other accidents, pro gressive near sightedness, functional disturbances of vision, amaurosis and optic atrophy caused by poisoning from lead, alcohol, tobacco, etc., and wood alcohol.
(a) Ophthalmia term includes all in flammatory conditions of the conjunctiva that occur before the end of the first month of life. Infection usually occurs during the passage of the child through the parturient canal and is derived from the vaginal secretions of the mother, though it may also occur from infection after birth. The gonococcus is the most important single organism in its production, being demonstrated in about 65 per cent. of the cases. This disease
is observed in from 6 to io of each i000 births.
It may be effectually prevented by the employment of Crede's method of prophylaxis, which should be always used regardless of the venereal history of the parents. It is as follows: Clean the eyes with a pledget of cotton and boric acid solution. Sepa rate the lids and instill I to 2 drops of r per cent. silver nitrate solution, which in a few minutes is washed out with saline. In order to encourage this practice many states distribute free outfits of these solutions for the employment of this treatment in all newly born.
(b) Trachoma is probably not a specific infection, although this is disputed. It is found among those living under defective sanitary conditions, and is extremely chronic. Infec tion is transmitted by the conjunctival secretions which are disseminated by the fingers, roller towels and handkerchiefs.