The Western Health Reform Institute.
ITS CHARACTER AND OBJECT.
THIS Institution, as indicated by its name, has been established with a two-fold object; First, as a place where disease will be treated on HYGIENIC PRINCIPLES; and second, as a place where instruction will be imparted both Theoretically and Practically, to patients and boarders, on the important subject of so caring for both body and mind, as to preserve health, or to secure the largest immunity from sickness and premature death. The Health-Reform Movement, as we view it, contemplates the preservation of health, no less than the recovery from disease. In the treatment of the sick at this Institution, no drugs whatever, will be administered, but only such means employed as NATURE can best use in her recuperative work, such as Water, Air, Light, Heat, Food, Sleep, Rest, Recreation, &c. Our tables will be furnished with a strictly healthful diet, consisting of Vegetables, Grains, and Fruits, which are found in great abundance and variety in this State. And it will be the aim of the Faculty, that all who spend any length of time at this Institute shall go to their homes instructed as to the right mode of living, and the best methods of home treatment. Our Institution will be open for the reception of Patients and Hygienic Boarders, on the 5th day of September, 1866. We shall be able to accommodate from the commencement, from 40 to 50 patients, and shall increase the number and size of our buildings as occasion may require. . . . We have in this respect all that could be desired. FIRST. We are in a State which has chosen as its most appropriate motto, 'If you seek a beautiful peninsula, behold it here.' SECOND. We are situated about midway between the East and West, and patients from either section can reach us with equal facility. THIRD. Our City is easily accessible from all parts of the country, being an important station on the Michigan Central R. R., the Great Thoroughfare between the celebrated cities of Detroit and Chicago, and one of the main arteries of travel between the East and West. The cars running upon this road are the stillest, best ventilated, and nicest to be found in the country; the Superintendent, Conductors, and Employes, are gentlemanly and accommodating; and a traveling public give this road the reputation of being the best managed of any in the United States. FOURTH. Our Buildings are located on a site of nearly six acres, in the highest and dryest part of the city, commanding a fine prospect of city and country, within a few minutes' ride of the depot, from which conveyance can be had by omnibus on the arrival of all trains. Persons arriving in the night, will stop at the Hotel until morning, and thereby avoid disturbing patients during their sleeping hours. Our buildings are separated from the street by a spacious and beautiful grove, while the rear is diversified with fruit trees, hills, and stream. It will thus be seen that both the buildings and the grounds afford ample facilities for REST, QUIET, and RETIREMENT. All the surroundings contiguous to our premises are neat and tasty. Our own grounds, and the streets which traverse the adjacent rural districts, afford abundant opportunities for pleasant walks, for exercise and recreation. We are also within thirty minutes' ride of the noted GOGAC LAKE, with its clear water and shady beach, a charming resort where our patients and guests can find ample means for recreation in boat-riding, sporting, &c. Battle Creek is a manufacturing town, situated at the junction of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo rivers. For half a mile above us, and a mile and a half below, the stream is so rapid, that mills could be located along its banks, and be driven by current wheels. Nature has been lavish of her bounties, and art is fast securing the benefits of them. This is a neat, clean, enterprising and thrifty place, of about 5000 inhabitants, and rapidly growing. Our Establishment will have plenty of Pure, Soft Water, pure air, good moral influences, and a greater amount of sunshine than any other part of the country can ordinarily boast. DR. H. S. LAY, with a number of competent Assistants for the Male and Female Departments, will constitute the Faculty of the Institute. Of the qualifications of Dr. Lay to manage such an establishment, it will be sufficient to say that he has had seventeen years' extensive medical practice, the latter portion of which he has been employed as a physician in one of the best Health Institutions in the United States, by which he has become thoroughly conversant with the latest and most approved Hygienic Methods of Treating Disease. To those who may see fit to come to this Institute as patients, we can say with feelings of confidence, that WHATEVER MAY BE THE NATURE OF THEIR DISEASE, IF CURABLE, THEY CAN BE CURED HERE. Those coming as patients, should bring with them the following articles, to be used in their treatment: 2 Sheets, (linen or cotton, linen preferred). 2 Woolen Blankets, and 1 Comfortable, or 2 Comfortables and 1 Woolen Blanket. Whatever may be the number of patients, the utmost care and attention will be given to each one to make conditions favorable to the speediest possible recovery. Those contemplating coming, would do well to first correspond with the Managing Physician in regard to the matter. For Board alone, with the privilege of the Lectures, and instructions of the Institution, $4 per week, Boarders finding their own rooms and lodging. For Board and Treatment, from $8 to $14 per week, according to room occupied, and amount of attention required. Personal examination $5, whether the person remains or not. First prescription by letter for persons who do not come to the Institute $5; each subsequent letter of instruction $1. Wood and lights, meals and baths, in private rooms, all, and always extra. At the opening of an account with a patient, he will be required to pay in advance the balance of the week on which he arrives; after that he will settle his bills on each Friday morning. Banking facilities for exchange and deposit, are here ample. For visiting patients at a distance, $10 per day for the time the Physician is absent, and his traveling expenses. This is the title of a Health Journal, 16 pp. magazine form, issued monthly at the Health Reform Institute. H. S. Lay, M. D., Editor. It is devoted to an exposition of the Laws of our Being, and the right application of those laws in the Treatment of Disease. We design to make it a model Health Journal, interesting in its variety, sound and valuable in its instructions, and beautiful in its typographical execution. Everybody should have it. Price $1.00 per year, INVARIABLY IN ADVANCE. All letters for The Health Reformer, Books, Circulars, advice or information, should be addressed to Dr. H. S. Lay, Battle Creek, Mich., and where an answer is required, should invariably contain stamp to prepay postage on the same. NOTE. The foregoing is the substance of a Circular which has just been issued by The Western Health Reform Institute, neatly executed on fine paper. Those who have friends who are, or should be, interested in the subject of treating disease hygienically, are requested to scatter these circulars among them, or send in their names and address to Dr. H. S. Lay, Battle Creek, Mich. The circulars will be sent free, post-paid.