added emphasis. The
importance, then, increases of every intelligent human being knowing
that the most serious forms of birth infection of the eyes, in almost
every instance, should not have occurred." Dr Lewis continues, "The
majority of the blind are not wage earners, and are thus not only an
added expense, but an economic loss. The education of each blind child
costs the state yearly about three hundred and fifty dollars, while it
costs but thirty dollars to educate a seeing child for the same period.
Ophthalmia neonatorum is a crime, because of the suffering it brings to
helpless, innocent persons, and because it leads to a reduction in
economic efficiency, deprivation of many pleasures and privileges and,
very often, immeasurable misery, suffering and sorrow during a lifetime
in the dark."

Of the twenty children brought to me for inspection during the past
three years, fifteen were blind from infant ophthalmia, and, as I myself
am a victim of this same disease, I am leaving no stone unturned in my
efforts to save other children from hardships and limitations that are
wholly preventable, and I feel that I am peculiarly fitted to help in
this great work.

There are other common causes of blindness in children, one of which is
phlyetenular keratitis, usually the result of poor or improper feeding,
or lack of ventilation, and it often leaves the cornea badly scarred.
Tuberculosis of the eyes results in much the same condition, often
causing total blindness. Measles and scarlet fever cause blindness or
defective vision. Parents do not realize the gravity of these diseases,
and fail to cleanse the eyes frequently, or to keep the room properly
darkened. In some cities, during epidemics of these diseases, health
officers are requested to distribute circulars, calling attention to the
danger to the eyes, and giving instructions as to their care. In this
state, measles and scarlet fever are among the communicable diseases
which must be reported.

Trachoma, a virulent form of conjunctivitis, is a communicable eye
disease which must be carefully safeguarded. It flourishes in
unsanitary surroundings, camps, and homes where the family uses the
common wash basin and towel. There are not many cases in this state, but
even one is too many. We are profiting by the unhappy experience of
Kentucky and other Southern states, and are adopting drastic measures
for its prevention.

Interstitial keratitis, or inherited syphilis, is a