The Sun.
London, England, 1822-07-20 00:00:00

DISEASES OF THE EYE.

As the treatment of diseases incident to this
inestimable Organ, though there are many emi-
nent and skilful Practitioners in the country,
does not seem to be yet fully understood, we
are induced to extract the following article from
the last Norwich Mercury, and we sincerely hope
that similar Establishments will universally take
place throughout the British Empire :
OPHTHALMIC INSTITUTION.

A Meeting was held on Thursday se'nnight, at the Hall, in
the Market, for the purpose of calling the attention of the public
to the advantages to be derived from an Institution for the Cure
of Diseases of the Eye, and also to request support in the
formation of such an Institution.

A previous meeting had been held (the Mayor in the chair,)
at which these benefits had been discussed, and it was deter-
mined to request the pecuniary support of the inhabitants at a
public meeting, at which the following proceedings took place:—
Sir ROBERT Jouw HARVEY was called to the chair.

Dr. EvANs then entered into an explanation of the principles
upon which this Institution had been founded. Dr. E. expa-
tiated at much length on the advantages to be derived from in-
stitutions of this nature, and quoted as examples the prior esta-
blishments at Exeter under Sir W Adams, at Manchester, at
Plymouth, at Liverpool, and at Newcastle. The one for
whose support the Doctor was addressing the meeting,
had already admitted, since its first establishment by Mr.
Hull, Mr. T. Martineau, jun. and himself, two Lundred
and forty cases, some of which had been of very consi-
derable importance.—Diseases in the eye required daily in-
spection—daily attendance, and such an institution could
alone afford a constant attention. Early observation of the eye,
in a state of disease, was of the utmost importance, inasmuch
as it often occurred that from negligence or ignorance the loss
of sight, and particularly to new-born infants, occurred. An
institution of this kind would, it was forcibly urged, prove a
source of great benefit and a school of instruction, and that to
such institutions we were indebted for the greatest improvements
in opthalmic surgery. Regular hospitals could not possibly
afford accommodations to m-patients, and it would be worse
than trifling to admit them as out-patients. such establish-
ments as the one proposed attbrded the only means for men of
talent to improve our knowledge in this most interesting of all
classes of diseases. Dr. Evans concluded by stating, that it was
not intended to limit this charity, but to throw it open to the
county as well as to the city.
Resolutions were immediately adopted, expressive of the ap-
probation of the meeting, and a subscription entered into.
We sincerely hope that this institution, which has been
founded by the energy, attention, and skill of the Gentlemen
who have brought it before the public, will meet with the en-
couragement which so philanthropic a proposition merits. The
Public are much indebted to Dr. Evans and Messrs. Hull and
Martineau for their exertions in its foundation and in its sup-
port, as well as for the large portion of time they have spared
from their necessary avocations in giving their gratuitous advice
to the immense number of patients who have applied for their
assistance.