ILLINOIS CHARITABLE EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY
This institution is an outgrowth of a private charity founded at Chicago, in 1858 by Dr. Edward L. Holmes a distinguished Chicago oculist.
In 1871 the property of the institution was transferred to and accepted by the State, the title was changed by the substitution of the word "Illinois" for "Chicago" and the Infirmary became a State institution.
The fire of 1871 destroyed the building, and in 1873-74 the State erected another of brick, four stories in height, at the corner of West Adams and Peoria Streets in Chicago.
The institution receives patients from all the counties of the State, the same receiving board, lodging, and medical aid, and (when necessary) surgical treatment, free of charge.
The number of patients on Dec 1, 1897 was 160. In 1877 a free eye and ear dispensary was opened under legislative authority which is under charge of some eminent Chicago specialists.