MICROCOCCUS GONORRHCEM 87 



during its acute or chronic stage, the latter more 

 commonly, the gonococci may enter the blood stream 

 and affect tissues other than the genital, for which it 

 has a predilection, the serous surfaces, joints, heart 

 lining, or meninges. These conditions arising after 

 such spreading are very difficult to treat, and not 

 infrequently leave a permanent defect. 



The inflammations of the eyes, notably the con- 

 junctiva, produced by the gonococcus are very com- 

 mon, and one authority says that half the world's 

 blindness is due to it. This complication is due to 

 carrying of germs from the seat of primary disease, on 

 the fingers, handkerchiefs, and the like, to the eye. 

 The result is a frightful acute, pussy conjunctivitis, 

 running a long acute course and leaving opacities of 

 the cornea or adhesions of the iris in many cases. 

 Destruction of the eye may result. Not only does 

 this disease affect those with gonorrhea, but it may 

 be transferred to others by objects soiled with pus. 

 The commonest transmission of gonorrheal ophthalmia, 

 as it is called, is to the newborn. This is ophthalmia 

 neonatorum. It is a common practice of obstetricians, 

 especially in hospitals, to instil a few drops of a weak 

 nitrate of silver solution into the eyes of newborns, 

 whether there is or is not a history of gonorrhea in 

 the mother. 



A more serious and baffling phase of gonorrhea is 

 seen in the vulvovaginitis of little girls, which fre- 

 quently sweeps like wildfire through a hospital ward, 

 despite all attempts to stay its progress. It also 

 appears in any institution where children are in close 

 contact, schools, for example. It is supposed to be 



