D.C. Code § 7-801: Prophylactic solution to be administered.

The Mayor may, upon the advice of the Director of the Department of Health and pursuant to subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2, issue rules to prevent and monitor the occurrence of ophthalmia in newborns. Unless the Mayor provides otherwise, each physician, certified midwife, certified professional midwife, or certified nurse-midwife who delivers or otherwise assumes the initial care of a newborn shall, immediately upon that delivery or assumption of care, administer to each eye of the newborn a 1% solution of silver nitrate, an ophthalmic ointment containing either 1% tetracycline or 0.5% erythromycin, or another prophylactic approved by the Mayor.