There were many other moves of the New York Eye & Ear Infirmary (Fig. 5): in 1827 to 459 Broadway, in 1834 to 96 Elm Street on the corner of Walker Street, and in 1840 to 45-47 Howard Street near Broadway. The surgeons called to the attention of the Board of Directors and to the citizenry of New York City the need for a building erected with special reference to the wants of the Infirmary: "Besides the poor of our own city, there are patients from every county of the state, and even from other states, that avail themselves of our benefits." 10 The next year, in May of 1845, the Infirmary moved to 97 Mercer Street, between Spring and Prince Streets, the first structure purchased by the New York Eye Infirmary, and it cost $7000. The Infirmary very quickly outgrew this space because of the market demand for services and the recognition of excellent care and results. The Board of Surgeons again appealed to the Directors in a very articulate presentation for the need for larger and more permanent quarters. 11 They stated that "this Infirmary was the first established in America, and though situated in the largest and most wealthy city of this country, its financial history presents a strong contrast with that of similar institutions in Boston and Philadelphia." 11        Within a few years of the beginnings of the New York Eye Infirmary, because of the success of treatment rendered, similar institutions were established in Boston and Philadelphia. The Massachusetts Charitable Eye and Ear Infirmary was established in Boston in 1824 by Dr. Edwards Reynolds, a friend and fellow student of Drs. Delafield and Rodgers. In 1850 a beautiful and commodious building was erected, and it is a lasting monument to the liberality of the State of Massachusetts and the benevolence of the citizens of Boston. In Philadelphia, the Wills Hospital similarly was constructed and stood as a monument to its citizenry. The population of New York City continued to explode, and the patients were coming to the Infirmary from all over the state and country, and several from other countries. Petitions were constantly being submitted by the surgeons and directors of the New York Eye Infirmary to the citizenry of New York and the state legislature for financial support for a new building.