The Portland daily press., 1888-11-06
EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY.
Proceedings at the Annual Meeting
Last Evening.

The annual meeting of the Maine Eye and
Ear Infirmary was held last evening at ITO
Federal street. In the absence of the pres
ident, Hon. c. F. Libby was chosen chair
man.
The report of the last meeting was read
and approved.
The treasurer. George F. French, Esq, re-
ported cash balance on hand of S122.96.
The report of the medical staff was read by
the surgeon, DR.. Z. III. Holt.
presented by the chairman, Hon. M. P.
Frank. The report is as follows:
TRUSTEES REPORT.
In presenting the third annual report of
the Maine Eye and Ear Infirmary to mem
bers Of the corporation and the public gener-
ally, the board of trustees are pleased to
state that the institution is in successful op-
GRAFTON, and that it has steadily enlarged its
sphere of usefulness until its benefits have
been received by persons from all parts of
the State.
The noble charitable work done during the
past year has not only confirmed the wisdom
of establishing the Infirmary which the two
previous years had fully shown, but has
1ully entitled 1t to rank among the very first
OF the benevolent institutions of our State.
A careful examination of the statistics
herewith presented will show the variety and
extent of the medical and surgical work al
ready accomplished by the Infirmary. Dur
ing the past year there has been an attend
ance OF 5,412, comprising 633 diseases of eye
and ear; among COG persons registered. 900
operations have been performed.
We find that the attendance since the OPEN
ing OF the Infirmary has been IL, 73S, COM
prising 1,7S0 diseases of the eye and ear !;
among l,4S5 persons registered 554 operations
have been performed.
This includes so onerations for tba romo-
val OF cataracts,, % of which have been per-
formed during the past year, and IS opera
tions for the removal of the entire eye
Here is represented a total amount of
at moderate fees more than fifteen thousand
dollars, given to the worthy poor of our
State.
Our thanks are certainly due to the medi-
cal officers for their constant attendance,
kind attention and sklllful treatment Of
these unfortunate persons In justice to
them and all others who assist in supporting
this charity, we should encourage the atten-
dance OF those only who are poor and worthy
OF free professional services.
Ii we attempt for moment to measure for
ourselves the value of sight or the great
deprivation which necessarily results from
the loss of it, we cannot but feel that no 9th
er form of physical benefit, except possibly
the saving OF life, surpasses in Importance
tnat winch the lnfrinary seeks to confer.
Oo, tUOs IL VIC CUuSlutT now dependent we
are upon our hearing, not only for informa-
ton but for the development of the mind,
we can readily see that the preservation or
restoration of the hearing has to do with the
whole future work which the person thus
benefited may accomplish and that this as
sistance is of far more value to him than any
pecuniary gift.
By preserving and restoring these inestim-
able senses of sight and hearing, the indiyid-
ual Is furnished with the most important
mr. inns aE. a M =
the support Of those who may be dependent
upon him.
Let us glance at the condition of the poor
who are benefited by the Infrmary.
Through accident or want of knowledge of
the proper care and use of these delicate
organs. some disease of the eye or ear sets in
that needs special treatment The clinic
which Is held daily for the treatment of
these diseases is attended and the patient
soon RECEIVERS without long suffering or
serious loss of time. If the patient needs
special care and nursing he may be admitted
to the Infrmary by paying board only, or
when possible to our free bed. Here the de-
serving poor receive, free of charge, all the
care that skillful treatment and nursing will
afford, and soon go out with all the bene-
fits to be derived therefrom.
The number of cases of blindness and
deafness prevented are much more numerous
than the number cured, but it is more diff
cult to demonstrate the fact We have.
however, q sufficiently large number of those
who have been directly restored to sight to
do credit to any institution, and of which all
concerned may well be proud.
Imagine the feelings of one who In his de-
Ginning years comes to the Infirmary blind.
During his disability he has used up his
slender means He must get help or be en-
tirely dependent upon Others He is told
that the prospects are that his sight can be
restored. How anXiously he awaits the re-
suit, and when in a few weeks he returns
home once more to look upon familiar scenes
and enjoy the blessing of sight, how un-
bounded are his feelings of gratitude to ali
who have. assisted in bringing about this
grand result.
Surely it is as blessed to give as to receive
in assisting to accomplish result.
AS these numerous instances Of the resto-
ration Of sight become more widely known
among those who have pecuniary resources
our aid from them will be augmented and
our ability to extend the beneficent work.
correspondingly enlarged. We have already
by the strlctest economy and pru-
our expenses, furnish one free bed, and still
apply more than all the State and city aids
toward the reduction Of our debt. Our press
ing need is the payment OF our debt so we
may be able to apply the interest now paid
on it, toward extending the benefits to more
of the deserving poor.
The trustees most heartily thank those
who have aided this benevolent work and
commend it again to their intelligent sympa-
thy and generous support. They are pleased
to mention the second appropriation by the
City of Portland as showing the highest re-
gard for the institution.
In conclusion allow us to record with graf
itude the fact that the Infirmary has passed
the third anniversary of its existence under
circumstances which show that it has most
fully met and accomplished the objects for
which it was intended.
1t is so well established that its future use
fulness is secure. 1t is hoped and believed
that when charitable persons see this work
going on year after year and know their gifts
are to be applied to such noble object, they
will not allow the institution to suffer for
the want OF means to extend and perpetuate
Its benehcent work to the deserving poor of
our State.
OFFICERS ELECTED.
Officers were elected as follows:
Presidential. j. Libby.
tie.
Secretary-A. A. Montgomery.
Treasurer-Geo. II. French
Trustees. for three II ;tl,,, ID