Medical Convention Items by L. A. HANSEN.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 14, 1915

Medical Convention Items

By L. A. HANSEN.

Concluding Report.—

OTHER recommendations passed by the medical conventions held this year and not yet reported are given herewith, together with some of the thoughts suggested in the discussions.

“We recommend, That our sanitariums solicit subscriptions for Health and Temperance from their patients, and that they encourage its sale in their field missionary work; and further, that we request the Health and Temperance magazine to devote a full-page directory to include such sanitariums as will use one hundred or more copies of the magazine monthly.”

Health and Temperance, formerly known as Life and Health, has made such changes in its policy as to make it more specially an organ for our denominational health work and of our Medical Missionary Department. Already filling a place as an accepted popular health journal for the public, it is in good position to represent our health principles from our special standpoint.

The editor, Dr. G. H. Heald, is not only in sympathy with the idea of making the journal a stronger representative of our denominational health work, but is anxious to do so. It is an undertaking that requires help, as the editor and publishers cannot do it alone.

Our sanitariums are thus offered the advantage of an established health journal as a house organ. It solicits written contributions from the staff of each sanitarium. Articles of local interest may be published, so that liberal use may be made of the journal for local circulation.

The news items and personal notes concerning workers are now appearing in Health and Temperance instead of being given in this department of the REVIEW AND HERALD. As we secure more cooperation in gathering such items, these notes will become of greater interest.

Departments have been added in the journal that make it of special interest to our own people. A School of Health department will give instruction in simple treatments, and will discuss other questions of interest to all who wish to be better informed in matters pertaining to health. We often hear it expressed that there is need of a more general study of these subjects. We urge a strong support of all for Health and Temperance in our effort to make it a mighty factor for presenting health truths in their proper setting.

The directory mentioned in the preceding recommendation now appears in each issue of Health and Temperance. The publishers have generously waived the requirement of one hundred copies, and have listed all the associated sanitariums, which, in turn, are expected to contribute to the success of the magazine.

“Resolved, That we recommend to the

Medical Department of the North American Division Conference that there be printed a small booklet embodying in a concise and clear way the fundamental principles of healing and reform represented in the health reform movement of Seventh-day Adventists.”

This recommendation speaks for itself, and voices a need for something that will help our children, and others who may require it, to learn more fully the underlying principles of rational health reform.

“Resolved, That it is our opinion, gathered from reports of others and from our own experience, that advertising for sanitariums pays best when put out in a form to reach individual prospective patients rather than the general public; and that cooperation of physicians is desirable; that field educational work by medical representatives is productive of fair results; and above all, that good service pays.”

The question of advertising received considerable attention at our conventions. Experiences were reported by various ones. It was the consensus of opinion that our sanitariums will not profit by advertising which follows lines of general publicity, as in magazines, newspapers, etc. A large outlay of money can thus be made without commensurate returns.

Favor was expressed in behalf of syndicate advertising whereby our sanitariums can utilize uniform folders or catalogues that can be issued in quantities and used in a way that will reach the individual reader. This matter should be well written and tastily arranged. Samples from one of our brethren, C. E. Hooper of Boston, who is an advertising expert, were submitted. Study is now being given the idea.

Some interesting figures were presented showing the results of a carefully kept system whereby the source of the patronage of the New England Sanitarium had been determined. It was shown that twenty-seven per cent of the patients were recommended by old patients. A little over twenty per cent were recommended to the institution by physicians, and fourteen per cent were old patients returned. The total list of patients, including those who were Seventh-day Adventists, those who were recommended by Seventh-day Adventists, and those who knew of the institution by reputation or had been to other sanitariums, showed that over ninety per cent came to the institution simply because of the influence of its work.

Certain magazine advertising costing hundreds of dollars showed less than one per cent of the patronage. School of health work was disappointing, except where the sanitarium physicians could have part and could impress individuals with the need and value of sanitarium care.

There were also presented the results of a careful follow-up system in the correspondence with inquirers, as well as in giving personal attention to those who telephoned the institution or came for information. Sample form letters were shown, and copies of these have been sent out for suggestions.

Our journal, Health and Temperance, was spoken of by some as offering a profitable advertising medium. The average medical journal advertising was not thought to be very productive, but some of it might be desirable in order to make known the ethical standing of the sanitarium.

“Whereas, It is our unanimous sentiment that good cooking is an art of high attainment, requiring scientific training and skill, and worthy the life work of persons suitable to enter upon it,—

“We recommend, That the College of Medical Evangelists and any other qualified institution shall have our hearty support in securing suitable persons to take up the work of scientific advanced cookery as a calling; and that all our sanitariums be urged to give such instruction and training as will aid in selecting persons adapted to the art of cookery.”

While the subject of hygienic cooks and what can be done to develop them was about the last one of the agenda paper, it was by no means the least, as was seen in the discussion that took place. It was stated that our Medical Department office is receiving calls that indicate a strong demand for hygienic cooks, and that those who will devote themselves to this work as a calling will find good prospects of employment.

E. G. Fulton, who has had long experience in restaurant work, gave it as his opinion that not one person in twenty who take up cooking as a profession makes a success of it. He thought that a good cook could not be developed under three years. The importance of the work and the responsibilities resting on the cook are of a nature that make thorough training necessary. He felt that the work should be placed on a much higher plane than it had ever been in the past, and that careful selection should be made of persons to be encouraged to make cooking their life work.

The discussion covered the need of general efficiency and higher standards for all kinds of domestic work. Dr. S. P. S. Edwards expressed his idea that student nurses should be taught not merely to look forward to the time when they can wear a uniform, but that they should be encouraged to feel that any work they do in connection with the institution is worthy of their best effort.

J. A. Burden thought that the most expert table waiters would almost invariably prove to be the best nurses; and that the student who puts her very best effort into domestic work, would do the same in her medical work. He believed that too great attention could not be given to the two special distinguishing features of our work, reform diet and reform treatment. He made a strong plea for a better understanding of the culinary department by all those connecting with our institutions. He pointed out that the kitchen was the most trying place in which to work, and that many of the cook’s daily experiences were such as would try him to the utmost. He thought there was not only an almost unlimited field for service in the kitchen, but that there was also honor connected with it. He wished that a regular course of training for cooks, covering two or three years, might be carried out. He said he realized that it would mean quite an expense, but that he was satisfied it would far more than repay the expense in better service, better results, and better satisfaction all around.

C. E. Rice suggested that the sanitariums allow their cooks to visit other institutions where they might receive training and suggestions. He said that at the Paradise Valley Sanitarium the cook was a full-fledged member of the faculty, and was expected to attend all meetings and to bear heavy responsibilities in his department and the general conduct of the entire sanitarium work. He felt that any money spent in broadening the experience of their cook was money well spent.

It was suggested that it would be well to arrange for a convention for cooks where there could be an exchange of ideas and plans; and other suggestions for helping to develop efficiency were offered. L. A. HANSEN.