The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-09-15
ROGER WILLIAMS EAR AND EYE
INFIRMARY

lNFlkMAltl.
The Roger Williams Ear and Eye In
firmary. located at 257 Broadway, Prov
idence, Is designed and conducted for
the free treatment OF such persons as
are unable TO pay for medical advice.
That it is in the truest sense a charity
Is apparent to anyone who visits the
office during business hours, as the
large numbers from the ranks OF the
poor people who come here for treat
ment proves the practical nature Of the
work.
on the occasion OF our visit in the
few minutes we waited for an inter
view. about ,wenty patients We're
treated and others were waiting and
continually arriving, yet "a the pnys.-
clan informed US. this was one of their
easy mornings. The office hours are
from 10 10 m, except sundays, and
40 To $50 Monday. Wednesday and
Friday evenings. Usually patients are
accepted through card system. These
cards are given only To those that are
known TO some reliable person TO be IN
dgent These cards are carefully filled
out before presentation az the lniirm-
ary The only expense To the patient
is for medicine. which is furnished at
cost.
The continuance OF this charity is
wholly dependant upon voluntary con-
tributions Ii Is hoped the annual do
nations may be generally increased as
il is only through them the directors
know what may be depended upon for
financial supports. Gifts are always
gre atefully received.
This charity was inaugurated about
four years ago. on Fenner street, in five
rooms, and with one physician, who Is
now at the head Of the stan Of sur
geons which has increased from ore to
eighteen. The large house now used IN
prosecuting the work Is at times hardly
equal To the demands upon IT. Plans
are under way for adding more COM
plete facilities To the building. as the
plan is 10 have the equ pment well up
to-date. The arrangements are ad-
mirabie. even without these improve
ments. The surgeons are specialists
who keep up with the most approved
modern methods in their respective
lines: and the patients receive as efii-
cient treatment as .ney would II they
paid the fees usually charged for in
such treatment The house contains on
the first floor the large reception room,
consulting room. dark room for part
W the oculsts' work, dining room for
the surgeons. matron and private, pa
tients. and the kitchen. on the second
floor is located the matron's rooms,
some OF the private patients rooms.
and the operating room. New surgi-
cal appliances Will be added here this
fan. thereby making this feature or the
system complete according 10 the most
| approved modern appointments. In the
| third story are located a number OF
comfprtablv furnished roms for private
| patierts The house il heated by steam.
According 10 the recent report: This
| has been the most successful year since
! the organization OF the lntirmary. The
I
| number OF patients has constantly IN
creo sed and friends have generously
given to the support of the work.
4 large number of Cases have been
those who have never applied 10 any
physician or hospital for treatment.
thus demonstrating the great need OF
/ = special inst tuition devoted wholly Go
/ the treatment OF diseases of the eye.
/ ear and throat.
/ Tho optical wnrk has increased 50
r,uielv that ~necfal provision had 90 he
made 10 relieve the burden from the
| r,irresors in charge Pnd to facilitate
| the delivery OF gases We are now able
| 20 care for largely Increased number
! W cpsas needing an examination or the
| eve for glasses.
| phvsiciars aud other visitors arc well
come 10 anv ~ the clin'cs. Those who
| iavp Visited tho work cXvreSs surprise
that such q u.eful work has heen going
81 here 20 auietly and without their
| knowledge.
Many ~ thn physiciaus of TIE city
! ara state rccoGni2'ng The value of the
work as an adjunct aud a hello to their
| own. hive freely - j onr clinics IN be
! haif of WORTHY and G'nicult cases rc-
I uuirlng special ,rea .ment
CHRISTIAN ENDEANOR
Thc work under the auspices of the
| state puicu f,r assisting and encDurag-
ing sr'n" ~ tho smaller Endeavor So
! ,icti,s IN thc country Districts NJ the
| sfa.- has hssn prosecuted through the
summer. Mr. w y. MacNair being en-