The Manchester and Salford Sanitary Association recently issued a
paper, based upon the directions of the Society for the Prevention of
Blindness. From it we learn that one of the most frequent causes of
blindness is the inflammation of the eyes of new-born babies. Yet this
is a disease which can be entirely prevented by cleanliness, and always
cured if taken in time. The essential precautions against the disease
are: (1) Immediately after the birth of the baby, and before anything
else is done, wipe the eyelids and all parts surrounding the eyes with
a soft dry linen rag; soon afterwards wash these parts with tepid water
before any other part is touched. (2) Avoid exposing the baby to cold
air; do not take it into the open air in cold weather; dress the infant
warmly, and cover its head, because cold is also one of the causes of
this eye-disease. When the disease appears, it is easily and at once
recognised by the redness, swelling, and heat of the eyelids, and by
the discharge of yellowish white matter from the eye. Immediately on
the appearance of these signs, seek the advice of a medical man; but
in the meantime, proceed at once to keep the eyes as clean as possible
by very frequently cleansing away the discharge. It is the discharge
which does the mischief. The cleansing of the eye is best done in this
way: (1) Separate the eyelids with the finger and thumb, and wash out
the matter by allowing a gentle stream of lukewarm water to run between
them from a piece of rag or cotton-wool held two or three inches
above the eyes. (2) Then move the eyelids up and down and from side
to side in a gentle rubbing way, to bring out the matter from below
them; then wipe it or wash it off in the same manner. This cleansing
will take three or four minutes, and it is to be repeated regularly
every half-hour at first, and later, if there is less discharge, every
hour. (3) The saving of the sight depends entirely on the greatest
care and attention to cleanliness. Small pieces of clean rag are
better than a sponge, as each rag is to be used once only, and then
burnt immediately; sponges should never be used, except they are burnt
after each washing. (4) A little washed lard should be smeared along
the edges of the eyelids occasionally, to prevent them from sticking.
Of all the mistaken practices which ignorance is apt to resort to,
none is more ruinous than the use of poultices. Let them be dreaded
and shunned as the destroyers of a new-born baby’s sight. Tea-leaves
and sugar-of-lead lotion are equally conducive to terrible mischief,
stopping the way, as they do, to the only right and proper course to be
taken.