The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1908-12-30

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 burden on society may
be proved Ued."
Letter to Physlcians.
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 It's last annual meeting authorized
the Issue of the report of the commit
tee on. ophthalmia neonatorum, which
forcibly called attention to the fact
that a 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 recent 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 aff1iction to
| this cause c-
This department has, therefore
thought It desirable to revive a law
which has for many years lain dor
mant on our statute books, and copy
of which is herewith enclosed
''Inasmuch, however, as I doubt 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 othr silver
salt will probably be deemed most eff
fective. May I hope for your assist
ance in carrying out this plan for di-
minishing a fertile cause of misery
and disability"
instructions to Health Officers.
The state department of health has
sent to each Of its 73O township health
officers full instructions as to their
| duty under the law. These instructions
are as follows:
"In order to carry out the provisions
Of the above law 1t 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-
ton from a midwife or nurse of the
occurrence of case of red or swollen
eyes in young infant you will inform
the attending physician of the fact
and will place In the hands Of the mid
wife or nurse the accompanying in.
structions, explaining that she is to
follow them only until physician ar
rives to take charge of the case II no
physician has been employed, you will
urge upon the family the necessity for
J obtaining one, as otherwise the child
may become permanently blind"
Here is the prescription given for
treating, inflamed eyes in newborn in
fants until the physician arrives:
ITO one pint of boiled water add two
I teaspoonfuls of boric acid and half
I teaspoonful Of table salt and keep COW
! cred in il which has been boiled
With perfectly clean cloth or a wad
Of absorbent cotton bathe the lids with
this solution and drop few drops in
the eye three times day"
State Health Commissioner Dixon
has also requested the departments
medical inspector in every county in
the state to assist the health officers
in the discharge Of the duty assigned
them. A letter has also been written
to the secretary Of every city, borough
and first class township board of
health in Pennsylvania, calling their
attention to the law and urging that
these boards adopt such measures as
will lead to It's early enforcement In
the municipality under the local
boards Jurisdiction. The wording of
the act of June 26. 1895. is as follows:
The Law.
Whereas, Statistics complied In this
country and Europe demonstrats that
fully rs per centum Of the blind owe