The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1908-12-30
STATE TO PREVENT
INFANT BLINDNESS
Health Commissioner Dixon Says
One.ThiFd of the Cases of
Blindness Can be Pre-
vented.
MOTHER SHOULD CALL DOCTOR

Old law to Be Enforced That viii
Secure Proper Treatment For
Nsw-Bern Infants and Save
Loss Of Eyesisht
To guard newborn infants against
that terrible misfortune, blindness.
State Health Commissioner Dixon has
revived . state law passed some years |
age for Just this object, but never en-
forced to any extent. This law, passed |
June 26, 1895, is entitled "An act for |
the prevention Of blindness, imposing !
duty upon all midwives, nurses or
other persons having the care Of in
fants, and also upon the health oficer,
and fixing q penalty for neglect there
Of"
DR.. Dixon declared today that II the
provisions Of this law are carried out
there is reason to hope that one-third
of the cases Of blindness which so
greatly diminishes the productive
value Of the individual and too often
renders him q burden on society may
be prevented"
Letter to Physicians.
To ten thousand physicians through
out Pennsylvania Health Commission
er Dixon is sending the following let.
ter:
"You are probably aware of the fact
that the American Medical association
at its last annual meeting authorized
thA ~ of h.
tee on ophthalmia neonatorum, which
forcibly called attention to the fact
that very large percentage of the
cases of blindness which the state is
called upon to support is caused by
that disease, and urged the necessity
for organized and concerted effort on
the part of the profession in all of the
states of the Union to diminish this
evil. That this appeal is most timely is
sufficiently indicated by aIrecent re-
port from the Pennsylvania School for
the Blind. which shows that in the
past eight years more than one-third
of the persons admitted to that insti-
tuition have owed their affliction to
this cause. ..
"This department has. therefore,
thought 1t desirable to revive law
which has for many years lain dor
mant on our statute books, and a copy
of which is herewith enclosed.
"Inasmuch, however, as Lrdoubt the
wisdom Of entrusting the treatment Of
so delicate an organ as the eye to un-
skilled hands, have appended to the
law instructions making 1t the duty
of the health officer to urge those in
charge to secure the services of ply
sician at the earliest possible moment
after the discovery of the disease, and
have suggested harmless cleansing
solution to be used until such time as
the physician could arrive and initiate
the active treatment for which the
nitrate of silver or some other silver
salt will probably be deemed most ef-
fective. May hope for your assist
ance in carrying out this plan for d.
minishing a fertile cause Of misery
and disability"
Instructions to Health Officers.
The state department OF health has
sent to each of it's 730 township health
officers full instructions as to their
duty under the law. These instructions
are as follows:
= "In order to carry out the provisions
r Of the above law it becomes your duty
to acquaint yourself with the names
{ and addresses of all midwives and
! nurses residing or practicing in your
; district and to place copy of the law
in the hands of each, instructing her
as to its requirements.
Immediately on receiving notifica
r tion from a midwife or nurse of the
t occurrence of case of red or swoller
S eyes in young infant you will inform
r the attending physician of the fact
and will place in the hands of the mid
9 wife or nurse the accompanying in
: structions, explaining that she is tt
!, follow them only until physician ar
II rives to take charge of the case. If nj
!, physician has been employed, you will
: urge upon the family the necessity fol
!, obtaining one, as otherwise the chilC
/, may become permanently blind"
i Here is the prescription given fo
70 treating inflamed eyes in newborn in
: fants until the physician arrives:
10 ITO one pint of boiled water add tw,
+ teaspoonfuls of boric acid and half
le teaspoonful of table salt and keep Gov
W cred in a jar which has been boiled
E. With a perfectly clean cloth or a wa
re of absorbent cotton bathe the lids wit
,e this solution and drop a few drops Il
A. the eye three times day"
;, State Health Commissioner Dixo
>, has also requested the department
:" medical inspector in every county 4
ID the state to assist the health officer
ss in the discharge of the duty assigne
to them. A letter has also been write
r. to the secretary Of every city, boroug
is and flrst class township board {
ID health in Pennsylvania, calling the
s. attention to the law and urging ths
m these boards adopt such measures q
ay will lead to its early enforcement
lg the municipality under the loci
an boards jurisdiction. The wording {
re the act of June 26, 1895, is as follows