HYGIENE OF THE EYES 237 



280. Eye infection. One of the dangers in getting dust 

 into the eyes lies in the ease with which the lining of the 

 eyelids becomes infected by various kinds of germs. Children 

 suffering from trachoma or other infectious eye diseases should 

 be excluded from school, where they are likely to transmit the 

 disease to others. There is danger, too, in rubbing the eyes 

 with the hands or with unclean towels or handkerchiefs. On 

 the first appearance of an irritation, or redness, in the eyes it 

 is well to wash with a solution of boric acid or argyrol, which 

 acts as an antiseptic without being injurious to the eyes. 



A considerable proportion of all blindness could be prevented by 

 the exercise of greater care in dealing with injuries to the eyes, as 

 well as by care in avoiding injuries. The largest single source of 

 blindness is probably ophthalmia neonatorum, the " baby sore-eyes," 

 or the sore eyes of the newborn. This is caused by the gonococcus 

 bacteria, and can be prevented by placing a drop of a one per cent 

 solution of silver nitrate in each eye immediately after the birth of the 

 child. In several states this treatment is now required of all 

 physicians and midwives attending a birth, and in the last few years 

 thousands of persons have been saved from this form of blindness. 



