The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-01-20 00:00:00

EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY

The annual meeting of the subscribers and friends to
the Eye and Ear Infirmary was held yesterday, at twelve
o'clock, in the Clarendon Rooms, South John-street.
The meeting was most respectably attended, among whom
we noticed the Rev. Rector Brooks, Mr. Robertson
Gladstone, Mr. Adam Hodgson, Mr. Samuel Sandbach,
Mr. Ilarmood Banner, Mr. John Crosfield, the Rev. T.
Bold, the Rev. R. L. Townsend, Mr. James Holme,
Mr. John Rigby, and many other warm friends of this
excellent institution. There were also present a number
of persons, some of them upwards of 70 years of age, who
had been patients in the institution. Of these some had
had their sight destroyed by accident, others by disease,
whilst others had been born blind; but all of them were
now restored to the invaluable blessing of sight. and their
appearance excited the greatest interest among the sub-
scribers.

On the motion of Mr. JAMES HoLATE, the Rev. Jona-
than Brooks, senior rector of Liverpool, was unani-
mously requested to preside.
Mr. HENRY CROSFIELD, in the absence of the hono-
rary secretary, read the report, of which the following is
an abstract :
The report, after alluding to the progressive
the institution, contained the following statemen
In 1844 the number of new Eye Cases was.... 3077
and the number of new Ear Cases was.... 2661-

fulness of

In 1845 the number of new Eye Cases has been 3462
and the number of new Ear Cases has been 2519-5981
Increase in 1845 over 1844.... 243
and over 1813.... 1699
The total number of times that patients were prescribed for,
(all of whom received the necessary dressings, medicines, &c.,)
in 1844 was..
in 1845 it has been
Increase in 1845 over 1844
The daily average of cases has been 58 in 1845 compared with
52 in the preceding year.
_ _

The number of a'rtizans employed in steam-boats, on railways,
or public works, who in consequence of accidents to their eyes
had sought, during the past year, the aid of the charity and
been restored was 286, being an increase of 61 over last year
and of 142 over 1843. During last year 52 persons, blind from
cataract (several of whom were born blind) have received their
sight by the skilful operations of the surgeons, and since the
formation of the charity ten years ago 490 patients have by its
means had the blessing of sight conferred on them. The
report then stated that in consequence of the present premises
being too confined for the accommodation of the daily increas-
ing patients the Committee had concluded an agreement with
the late Dr. Carson's representatives for the purchase of the
house at the top of Mount Pleasant, at present occupied by
Mr. Neill, the situation of which is very eligible and the pre-
mises are capable of future enlargement. The amount required
for this purpose will be rather more than £2OOO, towards which
upwards of £6OO have been subscribed, and no doubt in this
large and wealthy community will be speedily forthcoming,
and we are glad to second the appeal of the Committee for that
support to this institution which its extending sphere of use-
fulness so justly entitles it. From the accounts it appeared that
there was a balance due to the treasurer (Mr. Henry Crosfield)
of £33 15s 6d.

The CHAIRMAN said to this part of the subject he
could speak personally, for he having had the two cases
he had already mentioned in the Institution, they had
caused him to attend there to watch their progress. He
could really and truly say, that the accommodation afford-
ed in the Institution was totally inadequate to what was
required. It was too limited and inconvenient. In his
opinion the committee had been very fortunate in having
found a place suitable both in point of extent and situation,
and which they would be enabled to procure for so much
smaller a sum than if they had entertained the idea of
building. He sincerely hoped that in a wealthy town like
this, there would be no difficulty in raising the amount.
Indeed he was quite sure if half a dozen of the gentlemen
now present would go on 'Change for half an hour, they
would raise the money. He was sure there was that
feeling in the town, that when the facts were known their
charity would never feel the want of support under such
circumstances. He therefore anticipated the meeting
would gladly sanction the proposal of the committee.
The resolution was unanimously carried.
Mr. ADAM HODGSON moved and Mr. CHARLES WIL-
SON seconded a resolution appointing the officers for the
ensuing year. C ,rried unanimously.
Mr. CROSFIELD said the resolution which had been
put into his hands to move, he anticipated, would be una-
nimously agreed to after the interesting details and state-
ments which the meeting had heard of the great .success
which had attended the surgeons in the progress of their
duties. The resolution was that the thanks of the meet-
ing be given to the medical gentlemen for their services
during the past year, and that they be reappointed. He
thought the circumstance of 52 cases having been restored
to sight from total blindness was a very striking fact,
which ought to inspire thankfulness for the past and hope
for the future, and to animate all acquainted with the cir-
cumstances of the institution to more and more exertion
in causing it to be well supported. It did not appear to
him from the report that the increase of subscriptions was
adequate to the increase of cases. There was, therefore,
a necessity for the extension of such aid. Every year we
attended these meetings we found more pleasing and
stronger proofs of the utility of the Institution,
in the increased number of cases that were reported,
whereby the extension of its benefits were shown. He
very much agreed with the sentiments of the rev. chair-
man, that it was only needful to make an appeal to the
town, to raise the funds requisite for the purchase of the
proposed building. That purchase was a step which all
must approve, and he believed it would tend very much
to the permanent establishment of the charity. When
we saw such magnificent structures rising up around us in
this great town, we could not doubt but the small amount
necessary for this purchase would readily be found. He
biped the cases now reported would stimulate all who
had the means to subscribe to this cause. He did not
know what attention had been given to the circumstance of
so many artizans and workmen from the railway com-
panies, foundries, steam engine and other manufactories,
who were liable to accidents of the eye, and where one
eye was so very valuable to workmen of that class,

and to their masters too—he did not know, he said, what
attention might have been given to this argument by the
cymmittee, but he thought some steps should be taken to
call the attention of the employers of those men, in
orde, that they might have the privilege of subscribing.
He was sure their subscriptions ought to be forthcoming,
and he suggested that this would be a proper subject for
a distinct resolution (hear, hear). The remarkable
feature of this charity had been touched upon both
on this and on former occasion, namely, that of
requiring no recommendations for the poor suf-
ferers to obtain its aid, but the want of relief and in-
ability to pay for it. (hear. hear.) He really thought
this was a very striking feature in this charity ; and as the
worthy surgeon (Mr. Neill) had observed it was well it
was so because the delay which in most cases was often
dangerous, was sometimes fatal to the sight. But at the
same time as Mr. Neill had said, it did not bring individ-
ual suffering so closely under the notice and attention of
the subscribers as if they had the opportunity of personal
intercourse with an individual in a state of great suffering.
Mr. Crosfield concluded by moving the resolution.
Mr. SAMUEL SANDBACH seconded the resolution.
The CHAIRMAN : Do the railway companies subscribe
anything ?

Mr. JAS. HOLME : NO.
Mr. SAMUEL SANDBACH : I have no doubt they would,
if they were applied to.
Mr. H. CROSFIELD remarked that they had a great
many cases sent from the railway works at Crewe.
The CHAIRMAN was sure that if the charity were men-
tioned to the board of directors, there would be no diffi-
culty in inducing them to subscribe, because it was a
matter which peculiarly affected them.
Mr. JAs. HOLME suggested that the proprietors of
foundries should also be applied to.
Mr. NEILL, in reply to a question, stated that the worst
cases, and the largest number, came from Crewe, and very
frequently the wives and children of the men came with
them.

Mr. BOLD mentioned that one day last week he saw a
piece of metal extracted from the eye of a man employed
on the railway works at Crewe.
The CHAIRMAN, in puttinc, the resolution, said that
after all which had been heard was satisfied there would
be no difficulty in inducing the Grand Junction directory
to subscribe. The resolution was then carried.
Mr. NEILL then introduced a few of the cases of cure
among the patients in the room. Age, he remarked, did
not seem to throw the least impediment to the success of
the operations. In one case a child born blind had been
operated on at six months old ; in another a young gen-
tleman (who had gone away for a moment ;) and in
another, a person upwards of seventy years old ; and the
same success had attended the operations. The sight had
been restored in all these cases. He mentioned them to
chew that whether the sight had been taken by acci-
dent or not, it might, in some instances, be restored
by operative surgery. Mr. Neill then introduced a
respectable-looking female, one of whose eyes, he
stated, had, in early life, been punctured by some
sharp instruments, and the sight apparently gone for
ever. The other eye remained good, and she was
enabled to work for many years ; but five years since, by
an unlucky accident, the good eye was knocked to atoms,
and she became completely dark. She came to the
hospital, and the sight of the eye which had been destroyed
in early life was restored by an operation, and she was
now well and able to do her ordinary work. This case
was listened to with much interest. Another female was
then introduced, and Mr. Neill stated she had for a length
of time been blind in both eyes, but an operation had re-
stored the sight, and she was now a teacher at the Birken-
head school. The next case was also a female. She had
lost the sight of both eyes for four years by inflammation.
The operation was performed in the presence of a number
of persons, and it was completely successful. The poor
woman seemed most grateful for the attention paid to her.
Several other cases were brought forward, the particular
details of which were briefly mentioned by Mr. Neill.
Mr. CROSFIELD said the subscribers had had a very
interesting opportunity of seeing the good which the in-
stitution was the means of doing ; and it must be gratify-
ing: to the patients themselves, to know that by their
cases being explained, they might be the means of increas-
ing the subscriptions to the charity, and of obtaining a
larger house thereby, so that its benefits might be ex-
tended more and more.

One of the patients, who bad been introduced by Mr.
NEILL, here said that she had a few friends, and if a col-
lecting card were given to her, she would endeavour to
collect a little money for the institution. (Hear, hear.)
The CHAIRMAN.—Your little is quite as valuable as
richer people's larger sums. It is, indeed, much more
valuable, because it comes from your poverty, and from
your knowledge of what has been done for you.
The WOMAN : I was totally blind. I was quite dark.
I could not see at all. Now I can read and sew. I can
mark and backstitch, and work anything that is given to
me. I never use glasses—none at all.
The CHAIRMAN : Your feeling does you great credit;
and I am sure you deserve the good which, under Provi-
dence, has been done for you in this charity.
The WOMAN : I bless God for his mercy to me, and
Mr. Neill for his kindness. (Hear.)
After a few words from the CHAIRMAN,
Mr. ADAM HODGSON moved and Mr. HARMOOD
BANNER seconded a resolution, which was unanimously
carried, to the effect that the railway companies, proprie-
tors of foundries, &c., be applied to for subscriptions.
Mr, JOHN RIGBY moved the thanks of the meeting
to the donors, and expressed his regret that the resolution
did not apply to a greater number of his fellow-townsmtn.

Jan. 20, 1846.

The Rev. R. L. TOWNSEND, in seconding the:res°'
lotion, said it would be admitted by all who had any se'
quaintance with our local charities, that, generally speak'
ing, they depended very much upon the annual subscriP:
tions; but if this were to be done in all cases, he though'
the usefulness of charities would be greatly curtailed or
impaired. Extensions, such as that now contemplatedbl
the committee, would seldom, if ever, be carried into
effect. He, therefore, trusted that the statements wLieb,
had been so ably made by gentlemen who had preceded
him would have the effect of producinc, a great response,
from the inhabitants of the town of Liverpool. (Hear.)
He trusted that such benevolent sympathy would be
awakened as to cause not only a large increase in tb,
amount of annual subscriptions, but that prompt an
liberal;donations would be made, in crderto enable theconv
mittee to meet the specific wants of the charity, and t°
purchase the new building (hear, hear). Thankful, indi-
vidually, for the past, he was vet y sanguine as to the fa'
tore, and he thought that every one who had heard die
statements made this day, and witnessed the exhibition
then before them, must feel cordial sympathy towards
this institution (applause),
The resolution was unanimously carried.

Mr. W. P. FluTcruNsorr raoued a vote of thanks to
the Rev. Jonathan Brooks for his conduct in the chair.
Mr. ROBERTSON GLADSTONE seconded the motion,
which was carried unanimously.

The proceedings then terminated.
LA-ST NIGHT'S MAIL.
MARK LANE CORN MARKET-YESTERDAY
The supply of English Wheat by land carriage samples this
morning was small, and the condition much worse than here*
tofore ; the new could not be sold excepting at a decline of 20
per quarter, and for old as well as free Foreign, rather 1e55
money was accepted where sales were effected. There waS
some inquiry for bonded; a cargo of Marianople afloat is re;
ported as sold at 50s • and a little fine Dantzic also change,'
hands. Barley, except' the very best malting, must be noted 15
per quarter lower. Beans and Pease of all kinds are is and 26
per quarter cheaper. In the Oat trade there is very little doing'
but late prices are maintained. ,

SMITHFIELD MARKET-YESTERDAY

sts to-day being comparatively small, and
the beef trade ruled steady at,
.dvance in the ouotations—tbe
.t which $

The supply of B
the attendance of buyers lard
in some instances, a trifling
primest Scots readily producin,,
good clearance was effected by tin