THE New York Ophthalmic and Aural Institute was incorporated, under the general act of 1848, on the 28th day of August, 1869. It was founded and put in working order by the personal efforts and private means of Dr. H.* Knapp, of this city, formerly professor in the University of Heidelberg. The premises at No. 46 East Twelfth street, where the work of the Institution is conducted, is his private property.

The objects of the institute are: 1. "The treatment of patients suffering from diseases of the eye and ear, belonging to all classes of society. 2. The advancement of medical science, in particular the branches of Ophthalmology and Otology. This is effected by the experience derived from the examination and treatment of patients, by scientific investigation, and systematic medical instruction."

The Institution, working as a Hospital, was opened for outdoor patients on the 18th of May, 1869, and for the reception of in-door patients in the following June. At the issue of their last report it appeared that 5,559 had been treated in the Dispensary, and 468 in the Hospital.

Three classes of in-door patients are received. The first class pay from three to five dollars per day for board, and the usual prices for professional services. The second class pay from one to two dollars per day, with no additional charges. The third class are indigent patients, and are admitted gratuitously. The expense of the Institution the last year amounted to $15,102.09; of which sum the pay patients contributed $7,812.69, the State $1,288.82, the city of New York $1,000, and the remaining $5,000 were generously sup plied by Dr. Knapp.

The society has received for the present year a grant of $2,000 from the State, and a similar sum from the city authorities.

The Dispensary is located in the basement of the house, which has a large hall, used as a waiting-room, and capable of seating about sixty people; a reception-room, in which the patients are treated; two dark rooms for examinations with eye and ear mirrors, and other instruments; and a separate waiting-room for severer cases, especially such as have to undergo operations. Two wash-hand stands, one in the reception-room and another in the hall, with warm and cold water, offer great convenience and relief to the surgeons and patients. The dispensary is a charity, open to the poor daily from one to three o'clock P.M.

The in-door department, entirely separated from the Dispensary, occupies the four stories of the house. The latter is twenty-five feet in front, but widens posteriorly to fifty-two feet, having in the rear a yard sixty feet broad and twenty-five feet deep. A spacious hall, with a large winding staircase in the centre, forms a most excellent natural ventilator, while, in addition, a proper ventilation and light flue runs from the kitchen hall to the roof. The in-door department resembles a private hotel more than a hospital, having a considerable number of smaller and larger bed-rooms, a parlor, dining-room, piazza, bath-rooms, etc., with accommodation for thirty patients. The furniture is neat but plain in the top floor, handsome and elegant in the lower stories, thus affording to the inmates all the comforts which are compatible with the objects of the Institution. The beds are of the first quality throughout. A matron has charge of the establishment. Experienced and trusty nurses are in constant attendance on the patients. The position of resident physician is filled by a competent ophthalmic and aural surgeon.

*Herman