The Washington times., 1933-09-30
Secrets Of Diet
And Health
By DIR. LOUIS e. BISCH
COnjunctivitiS May Readily Be
Caught" From Another

C3uEuG EEOm huOkueE
BY Conjunctivitis is meant an
inflammation Of the lining muc-
Gus membrane Of the eyelids.
Because the secretionS produced
by this disorder may readily be
transferred from one person to
another, conjunctivitiS often as
sumeS' epidemic form.
Those suffering from the dis
ease, even II it be mild in char
acter, should exercise the great
est care lest someone else be-
come infected by means Of .
towel, handkerchief and the
like. Because Of such careless
ness the disease may spread to
every member Of a family with
astonishing rapidity.
A whole classroom OF children
may become afflicted. In fac
tories, offices and other places
where people are in close con-
tact, injected fingers may touch
some object in common use and
soon q dozen other persons show
symptoms Of the disease.
In the fall Of the year, as
well as during the spring, there
are always many cases. Wind
and dust are frequent predis-
posing causes; in fact, any
factor that causes irritation
may be to blame.
Many Cases
Thus even reading in a poor
light has been held to lrrltate
the delicate and sensitive con-
junctivae. The same may be
said of glasses in which the
lenses are no longer adequate.
Persons who need glasses but
refuse to wear them also court
conjunctivitis.
Smoke, as from an open fire
or from tobacco that Is used in
q poorly ventilated room. has
been known to start this inflam'
nation agoing. The same may
be said Of q foreign body IN the
eye, like a cinder.
In mild cases there is only a
redness of the lids to be noted,
plus a feeling Of burning or OF
itching. Patients often say that
they think there is something
irritating their eyes. Accord.
ingly they rub the lids and
thus make the Inflammation
worse.
In more severe cases the
eyes water considerably and
there may be a whitiSh dis
charage, even pus. Not infre-
quently the eyelidS and lashes
are stuck together upon awak-
ening in the morning.
ConjunctivitiS may follow
measles or scarlet fever. It is a
frequent accompaniment of an
ordinary cold or Of grippe Or
hay fever.
Treatment
A mild case may clear up
without treatment. It may only
last a few days. Severe cases
should be treated by a physi.
clan, as complications may
arise.
The use Of a boracic acid
solution is excellent for all
cases. For this 5 grams of
powered boracic acid are dis
solved in one ounce Of distilled
water. A few drops of this so
luton should be introduced into
each corner Of each eye, by
means Of q medicine dropper,
three times a day. Bathing the
eyes with the same solution, a
fresh supply being used each
time, is also excellent, particu.
larly in conditions with pus.
For the latter an eye cup" is
best.
The necessity for precautions
against the spread Of con.
junctivitis cannot be too strong
ly emphasized. Every such
patient should keep his towel
and wash cloth separate. In
fact, in wiping the eyelidS the
safest method is to use sterile
cotton or gauze which can i'm.
mediately be burned.
The use Of boric acid drops
once a week at least Is a wise
procedure even in healthy eyes.
Such treatment not only washes
the lids but it stimulates them
111A1Y