Chap. 608.—An ACT for the relief of indigent persons suffering
from disease of the eye.

Approved March 8, 1892.

Whereas there are many indigent people in the counties
of this state suffering from disease of the eye, which with
proper treatment may be removed, or in large measure re-
lieved; and whereas these people are too poor to pay for
this treatment, and with the progress of their disease are
likely to become charges upon the public; and whereas it
is proper for the state to do something for the relief of
such cases; and whereas there is a chartered institution
in the city of Richmond known as the Richmond eye in-
firmary, which has been doing charitable work for a num-
ber of years; and whereas this institution, though provi-
ded with proper appliances and skilled surgeons, finds it-
self hampered in its capacity for useful charitable work
by the lack of means; and whereas this institution is will-
ing to receive and treat such persons as may be admitted
under this act at the rate of thirty dollars per month;
therefore,

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia,
That the auditor of public accounts, on the presentation
of the accounts in detail of the managers of said institu-
tion for the care of such persons as shall have been re-
ceived and treated under the terms of this act, shal! issue
warrants on the treasurer for the payment thereof.

2. That the necessary medical and surgical treatment is
to be afforded to these people free of charge.

3. That the number of persons to be admitted during
any one year for treatment is to be under the control of
the managers aforesaid, and that no person is to be admit-
ted unless with his application for gdmission he files a cer-
tificate under oath of a reputable physician of his county
that he is acquainted with the applicant; that in his opin-
ion he has acurable disease of the eye, and that to the
best of his knowledge and belief that he isa proper subject
of charity and is entitled to receive the benefits of this act.
Accompanying this certificate of the doctor there must
also be the certificate of the judge of the county court in
which the applicant lives, that he knows the applicant and
the doctor making the certificate first mentioned, and that
he believes the statement therein contained to be true.

4. Any citizen of this state who can comply with the
requirements of this act shall be eligible for admission
for treatment into the institution aforesaid.

5. That the sum of one thousand dollars for the year
eighteen hundred and ninety-two, and the like amount for
the year eighteen hundred and ninety-three is hereby ap-
propriated for the purposes aforesaid out of any money
in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

6. This act shall be in force from its passage.