GROUP OF PYOGENIC COCCI. 
49 
anatomy of the organs infected is such that it is next 
to impossible to treat the infection thoroughly. The 
period over which the disease may continue infectious 
in the female may be years, and if the tubes and 
ovaries are involved sterility usually ensues. 
Fig. 5.—Gonorrheal pus, showing gonococci within a leucocyte. 
Gonorrheal infection of the eyes is fairly com¬ 
mon. It occurs in the newborn most often, and is 
called ophthalmia neonatorum. Ulcers on the cornea 
which interfere with vision in later life, or complete 
destruction of the eyeball, may result. It is the chief 
cause of blindness in children. The infection gets 
into the eyes during delivery, and as a prophylactic 
measure it is advisable to instil a drop or two of i 
Ophthal¬ 
mia neo¬ 
natorum 
