Eye Inflammation of Young

Miss. Code Ann. tit. 41, ch. 35
in effect

Miss. Code Ann. § 41-35-1 “Inflammation of the eyes of new born” defined.

Any inflammation, swelling or redness in either or both eyes of any infant, either apart from or together with any unnatural discharge from the eye or eyes of any such infant, independent of the nature of the infection, if any occurring, any time within two (2) weeks after birth of such infant, shall be known as “inflammation of the eyes of the new born.”

Miss. Code Ann. § 41-35-3 Duty to make report as to any inflammation of the eyes of new born.

It shall be the duty of any physician, surgeon, obstetrician, midwife, nurse, maternity home or hospital of any nature, parent, relative or other person attendant on or assisting in any way whatsoever, any infant, or the mother of any infant, at childbirth, or at any time within two (2) weeks after childbirth, knowing the condition defined in Section 41-35-1 to exist, within six (6) hours thereafter, to report such fact, as the state board of health shall direct, to the local health officer of the city, town, village, or whatever other political division there may be, within which the infant or the mother of the infant may reside.

Miss. Code Ann. § 41-35-5 Duties of the local health officer.

It shall be the duty of the local health officer: (1) to investigate or to have investigated each case of inflammation of the eyes of the new born as filed with him, in pursuance of the law, and any other such case as may come to his attention; (2) to report all cases of inflammation of the eyes of the new born and the result of all such investigations as the state board of health shall direct; (3) to conform to such other rules and regulations as the state board of health shall promulgate for his further guidance.

Miss. Code Ann. § 41-35-7 Duties of the State Board of Health.

It shall be the duty of the State Board of Health: (1) To enforce the provisions of this chapter; (2) to promulgate such rules and regulations as shall, under this chapter, be necessary for the purpose under this chapter, and such as the State Board of Health may deem necessary for the further and proper guidance of local health officers, etc.; (3) to provide for the gratuitous distribution of a scientific prophylactic for inflammation of the eyes of the new born, together with proper directions for the use and administration thereof, to all physicians and midwives as may be engaged in the practice of obstetrics or assisting at childbirth; (4) to provide, if necessary, daily inspection and prompt and gratuitous treatment to any infant whose eyes are infected with inflammation of the eyes; the State Board of Health, if necessary, shall defray the expenses of such treatment from such sums as may be appropriated for its use; (5) to publish and promulgate such further advice and information concerning the dangers of inflammation of the eyes of the new born and the necessity for prompt and effective treatment; (6) to furnish copies of this chapter to all physicians and midwives as may be engaged in the practice of obstetrics or assisting at childbirth; (7) to keep a proper record of any and all such cases of inflammation of the eyes of the new born, as shall be filed in the office of the state board of health, in pursuance with this chapter, and as may come to its attention in any way, and to constitute such record a part of the annual report to the governor and legislature; (8) to report any and all violations of this chapter as may come to its attention, to the local police, county prosecutor, or district attorney in the county wherein such violation may have been committed, and to assist such official in every way possible, such as securing necessary evidence, etc.

Miss. Code Ann. § 41-35-9 Duty of those in attendance at childbirth to use prophylactic in eyes of new born.

It shall be the duty of the physicians, midwives, or other persons in attendance upon a case of childbirth in a maternity home, hospital, public or charitable institution, in every infant immediately after birth, to use some prophylactic against inflammation of the eyes of the new born and to make record of the prophylactic used. It shall be the duty of such institution to maintain such records of cases of inflammation of the eyes of the new born as the state board of health shall direct. It shall be the duty of a midwife in every case of childbirth under her care, immediately after birth, to use such prophylactic against inflammation of the eyes of the new born as the state board of health requires.

Miss. Code Ann. § 41-35-11 Violation of chapter constitutes a misdemeanor.

The failure of any person to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter shall constitute a misdemeanor. The offender shall, on conviction thereof, be fined for the first offense not to exceed Fifty Dollars $(50.00), for the second offense, not to exceed One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), and for the third offense and thereafter, not to exceed Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) for each violation. It shall be the duty of the local police, county prosecutor, or the district attorney to prosecute for all misdemeanors as herein prescribed.

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