SUBJECTS AND PLAN OF STUDY
Babies born between October 1, 1954 and March 31, 1956 (18 months) were divided into three groups. In one group silver nitrate was instilled into the eyes, in another group penicillin ointment was used, and the remaining group was untreated. Babies were assigned to these treatment groups according to the caseroom in which they were delivered.
In the study period of 18 months, 5,371 babies were treated as follows:
Silver nitrate prophylaxis 1,772
Penicillin prophylaxis 1,875
No eye treatment 1,724
During the first half of the study period (Period A, Table XVII), when 2,779 babies were at risk, prophylactic skin care was not given. During the second half of the study period (Period B, Table XVII), when 2,592 babies were at risk, all babies received G11-in-detergent baths at birth and every second day thereafter.
The term "clinical conjunctivitis" includes eyes merely "sticky" with minimal discharge as well as eyes with frank discharge and signs of inflammation.
RESULTS
The incidence of clinical conjunctivitis in the three groups is shown in Table XVII. From the data presented two observations are noteworthy:
1. During the whole study period fewer cases occurred in the penicillin group than in the silver-nitrate and no-treatment groups. These results are statistically significant.
2. In the second half of the study (Period B) the incidence of conjunctivitis was markedly reduced in all three groups. During this period all babies were bathed with G11-in-detergent.
Table XVIII shows that the lowered incidence of conjunctivitis in Period B was due to a reduction in the number of cases caused by staphylococci, both coagulase positive and coagulase negative.