Chap. 292.—An ACT for the relief of indigent persons suffering from disease of
the eye.

Approved February 19, 1894.

Whereas there are many indigent people in the cities and counties
of this state suffering from disease of the eye, which, with proper
treatment, may be removed or in a large measure relieved; 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 insti-
tution in the city of Richmond known as the Richmond eye infirm-
ary, which has been doing charitable work for a number of years;
and whereas this institution, though provided with properappli-
ances and skilled surgeons, finds itself hampered in its capacity for
useful charitable work by the lack of means; and whereas this insti-
tution 18 willing 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 institution for the care of such per-
sons as shall have been received and treated under the terms of this
act, shall 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 admitted unless, with his application for
admission, he files a certificate, under oath of a reputable physician
of his city or county, that he is acquainted with the applicant, and
that, in his opinion, he has a curable disease of the eye, and that to
the best of his knowledge and belief he is a proper subject of
charity, and is entitled to receive the benefits of this act. Accom-
panying this certificate of the doctors there must also be the certifi-
cate of the judge of the corporation court or 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 be-
lieves 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 in-
stitution aforesaid.
5. That the sum of one thousand dollars for the year eighteen
hundred and ninety-four, and the like amount for the year eighteen
hundred and ninety-five, is hereby appropriated for the purposes
aforesaid out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appro-
priated.

6. Not more than twenty per centum of the patients treated under
and receiving the benefits of this bill shall be from the cities of the
commonwealth.

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