New-York tribune., 1912-04-07
he Eyg OF Thousands of Children May Be Saved Twelve Monkeys
This Ancient Disease Has De
stroyed Armies and Now
Threatens New York's
Schools.

lsos-'os Last year tine percentage at this
port was about per cent.
The surgeons al Ellis Island examine the
eyes ot all immigrants and they do it with
great speed and dexterity. The eyelid IA
flung up with the aid of q wire loop. and
a glance shows tho expert whether the
membrane is normal or otherwise. The
doubtful cases are put aside for closer
study. lay spectator fails to see any
thing remarkable even in a we'll defined
case of trachoma. There is little more
redness Of the everted eyeid, or few
streaks, indicating the process OF cicstriza-
ton Until the lid is turned up the eve
may appear absolutely healthy.
It is p peculiar fact that trachoma may
be contracted at any age. with the excep-
ton that very young children escape, says
Dr. J. W. Schereschewsky. Of the United
States Marine Hospital Service. The eye
lid membrane of the infant does not seem
to be a ripe breeding ground for the bacii'
lus. There is also a difference in individ-
ual susceptibility. out Of 81 Immigrants
exposed equally 10 infection in the same
compartment of a ship coming TO TINS
country. there being present four acute
cases OF the disease. IS developed trachoma
and the rest escaped.
The injurious effects of the disease are
direct and indirect. Among the latter may
he classed the mechanics injury 10 the
eyeball by the friction OF granulations on
, the lid and by the turning in OF the 10
edge when contraction follows the forma-
ton of scar tissue. Unless there is early
Treatment trachorna Is incurabie
The period of necessary treatment may
extend from one month TO several years
In early cases there is prescribed boric
acid wash at least five times day mild
nreparation OF silver dropped i'm the eye
night and morning. and afterward tannih
and gIycerine for astringent purposes. Since
there is a little pain i'm the use OF silver
and children make a fuss about it, homs
! treatment is not usually a success. In later
stages of the disease the treatment be-
comes rather formidable. Applying cocaine
the granulations of the eyelids are squeezed
out with forceps or the eyehd Is put
through miniature surgical clothes
vringer to express the contents OF the
trachoma follces. The eyelids may he
also scrubbed hard with a toothbrush
which is dipped in | to 5oO solu'ioh ol
| bchoride of mercury" II sounds worse
than IL feels. If enough cocaine Is used
| Other caustics are employed.
The history of trachoma is curious ana
almost romantic. 1t is traced back 10 the
Ebers papyrus, a medical work written III
| the height of Egyptian culture, 1853 b. |.
About a thousand years later IL was de-
scribed I'm pseudo Hippocratic manuscripts
and by CELSIUS who dwelt in Rome at the
time of Christ 1t is referred to in the
comedies OF Aristophanes. The early Esyp-
tians were too cleanly and hygienic to per-
nit the disease to spread widely: 1t be-
came common in Egypt during the latter
mart of the middle ages. The Crusaders
were not affected by it. 4 Venetian doctor
Prosper Aipinus who practised In Cairo IN
| 1880 found il extensive in the land ot the
pvramids The Continent of Europe be-
came thoroughly infected with the disease
through Napoleon's invasion OF Egypt. "
IS said that Is per cent Of his army OF 52V"
men were attacked by the disease, ana, ac-
cording TO Baron Larrey this was more
accountable for the failure OF the expeul-
! ton than the attacks OF the Mamelukes
and their allies The survivors of tine
army. returning home. spread the disease
broadcast through Europe.
The bacillus located by DR.. Williams and
her assistants as the cause Of trachoma is
a tiny and fastidous germ. which has I'D
no coaxed with a special diet in order to
thrive and multiply. To the lay eye
colony Of them looks like specks OF black
pepper.