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PREVENTION OF BLINDNESS.

Reviewed by LUCY WRIGHT.
Supt. Dept. of Registration and Information.
Massachusetts Commission for the Blind.

Six new publications have recently appeared on the subject of Ophthalmia Neonatorum: -- the special committee of the New York Association for the Blind contributes the first three of a series on prevention of blindness; the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind reprints an article by Dr. DeNormandie and the circular recently prepared by a committee of the Massachusetts Medical Society; and the Ohio Commission for the Blind, with the advice and approval of an advisory committee of the State Medical Association of Ohio, issues a pamphlet of "Advice to Nurses and Mothers for the Prevention of Blindness."

Of the three New York publications, (1) "No. 1" is an eight page pamphlet, with a print of a group of children needlessly blind, followed by a clean-cut statement of the need of preventive work, not only in the case of infantile ophthalmia but, in case of accident, neglect of minor ailments, etc., and a statement of the purposes of this special committee. "Knowledge and promptness," they declare, "are the two great factors in the prevention of blindness." "No. 2" is a thirty-nine page pamphlet, with graphic illustrations, and, as its name, "Children Who Need Not Have Been Blind," suggests, it is a decided step towards explaining and popularizing the subject of prevention of blindness from ophthalmia neonatorum: -- first of all, by prevention of disease, through the use, in the eyes of all newborn infants of a prophylactic; and second, if the disease has been allowed to develop, the prevention of blindness by prompt and adequate care of the child's eyes. This pamphlet is, without doubt, the most complete and graphic contribution, thus far made for use on the popular side of the work of this campaign. It covers the points concerning registration and supervision of midwives; co-operation of the medical profession, co-operation of health officers and the public; makes recommendations for a campaign, and gives practical advice both as to prevention of disease and prevention of blindness. "No. 3" is a summary statement in a convenient small folder of the objects, etc., of the New York committee.

The Massachusetts reprints (2) are both of exceptional value. Dr. DeNormandie's paper is the statement of the problem up to date, by a physician of the Boston Lying-in Hospital and Assistant in Obstetrics at the Harvard Medical School, in a form so clear and interesting as to serve very happily for the education of lay workers. His paper sums up the matters of cause and frequency of the disease, the results of prophylactic treatment and the status of present legislation. He emphasizes the responsibility of the obstetrician and says that "the real danger is from the gross carelessness of the physicians who take no prophylactic measures, and from the midwives and from the ignorance of parents." When it comes to remedies Dr. DeNormandie urges that ophthalmia neonatorum be always included on the list of reportable diseases, that physicians guilty of criminal carelessness be prosecuted and that the campaign of education be pushed in every possible way. In conclusion, he urges that "the American Medical Association must be helped in every possible way in its fight against this disease.' He points out the fact of high mortality in these cases; that even the best hospital care of young nursing babies, without their mothers, has its dangers and closes with the question: -- "Is it too much to ask that wards be provided where mothers of these nursing can be admitted as well as infants?" The second Massachusetts publication "Ophthalmia Neonalorum. Preventive Treatment, Suggestions and Treatment of the Disease' is of the greatest value, especially for use in Massachusetts as the official bulletin, "Prepared by the Committee appointed by The Massachusetts Medical Society to consider what measures should be taken by the Society to prevent the occurrence and secure the prompt and effective treatment of Ophthalmia Neonatorum."

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The Ohio circular (3) is a small folder containing especially clear and direct advice, describing the disease, precautions to be taken, and quoting the Ohio law. This leaflet emphasizes the danger to others from this contagious disease, and is especially planned for distribution through physicians, to nurses and others. In each instance the literature on prevention of blindness from these three states is of peculiar interest and promise.

In each instance, organized work for the blind places itself on record as an active agent in the campaign. In fact, the Ohio Commission is instructed in the act creating the board to take every possible measure towards the prevention of blindness. In all three states, it will also be seen, the work is resolving itself into a lay campaign, with the full force of work done with the co-operation and under the guidance of the medical profession. All six publications are valuable contributions towards the development of supplementary social work so essential to wiping out blindness as a result of ophthalmia neonatorum.