The light was brought and the nurse took the baby in her arms. The doctor, bending over it, lifted the swollen little lids and earnestly scrutinized the eyes. The cornea was entirely destroyed!
“O God!” The words came near escaping him. Sick at heart he turned his face away that the mother might not see. She must not know the awful truth until she was stronger. He gave some instructions to the nurse, then left the room followed by the baby's father.
“Stop for a few minutes, Doctor, if you please. I'd like to ask you something about this,” and both resumed their seats, after Mr. Ardmore had closed the door.
“Do you think the baby's eyes have been hurt by too much light?”
“No by darkness—Egyptian darkness.”
The young man looked at him in wonder.
“What is the disease?”
“It is Ophthalmia Neonatorum, or infantile sore eyes.”
“What is the nature of it?”
“It is always an infection.”