Every item mentioned in these preparations for the baby’s birth is important, as it bears directly upon sanitation, the comfort of the mother, and the safety of the child. This is no hour in which to take chances through false economy or procrastination. Directly after the child is born and the navel cord has been tied, either the nurse or doctor should give attention to the baby’s eyes. Science has proved that a large proportion of blindness is preventable, if prompt care is given to the eyes of new-born children. Hundreds of children are blind from birth through infection which might have been prevented. The eyes of the new-born baby are generally closed and covered with mucus. This should be washed off very gently with absorbent cotton dipped in boracic acid solution, starting at the nose and wiping outward, without opening the lids. To remove any chance of infection which leads to blindness, or ophthalmia neonatorum, as it is known to the medical profession, the nurse then applies a few drops of antiseptic solution, provided by the physician. For this purpose she uses a medicine dropper. So successful has been this treatment in reducing the percentage of blindness at birth, that many health boards, notably in New York, demand such precautions of physicians and midwives. If for any reason the treatment is not given, the mother will do well to watch the baby’s eyes for such symptoms as redness, swollen lids, and a slight discharge oozing from under the lids. If these symptoms appear, the parents should insist upon summoning a physician, for at this time prompt treatment may save the child’s sight. Neglect may result in total blindness or, at best, permanently impaired vision. The baby’s eyes should be washed daily with boracic acid solution, the cotton or gauze used for this purpose being destroyed and never used a second time. Next, the baby’s skin should receive the nurse’s attention. Before it is bathed, the entire surface of the body should be covered with olive oil or vaseline; after this process, the baby may be wrapped warmly in a blanket and tucked into a safe corner, while the nurse turns her attention to the mother. The baby need not be bathed until the mother has been made comfortable.