Babies Sore Eyes

Babies come crying into the world. They cry for air but in many cases the tears are gummy with pus, the little eyelids swollen and glued together. "Babies sore eyes" (ophthalmia neonatorum) is a common complaint. Gonorrhoeal infection is almost always the cause; contracted from the mother, or in an occasional instance from infected hands or articles. Total blindness is often the result, how often is indicated by the 25% of all blindness in children ascribed to it. This dark, tragic disease may be entirely prevented by therapy during pregnancy; may even be entirely cured, after having been contracted, by proper medical measures at birth. Many states, realizing this, have legally outlawed ophthalmia neonatorum, making prophylactic treatment of the eyes of newborns compulsory, supplying prophylactic outfits through health departments. The treatment, consisting of drops of silver nitrate in proper dilution, is harmless to the normal eye; constitutes therefore a universal safety measure.

Much of the benevolent legislation has been effected by the National Society for the Prevention of Blindness of which Chief Justice Taft is honorary president. Last week was published a summary of 20 years work: legislative reform, demonstrations, sight saving classes, propaganda. Chief of triumphs was the annual decrease of "babies sore eyes" as a cause of blindness among those admitted to schools for the blind. Today it is 64% less than it was 20 years ago. The goal is a 100% decrease.

Public school sight saving classes have been established in 80 cities in 18 states. Large type books, ideal lighting, movable desks, special teaching methods save the sight of children hampered by defective vision.

Industrial reforms are being instigated to counteract the industrial hazards responsible for 15% of the 100,000 blind in the U. S.