Graysville (Tenn.) Sanitarium by L. A. HANSEN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 27, 1908

Graysville (Tenn.) Sanitarium

By L. A. HANSEN

News Items

We are now in the midwinter season, and if this season is an indication of what we may expect, winter will not be the most prosperous time of the year for us. In the months of August and September we had a patronage that taxed our capacity. Through the cold months we have had a smaller patronage than at any other time of the year. This is contrary to our expectations. It may be that as our new institution becomes better known in the North, we shall secure a patronage that seeks a warmer climate for the winter season.

The weather has been fairly agreeable. At this writing we are having about the coldest weather we have had, with the thermometer twelve degrees above zero. Our mountainside location is warmer than in the valley below us. The warm sunshine makes it pleasant for our patients to spend time on the verandas, or in open-air exercise, climbing over the rocks near by, or up the mountain paths. The evergreens surrounding the building and covering the mountainside give a freshness to the appearance of things.

The continued work of improvement begins to tell in the appearance of both the building and the outdoor surroundings. The approach in the front is now by way of cement steps, a rustic bridge, and comfortable walks, with a resting station along the way. Work has begun on excavating for our lake at the lower spring. Our upper spring continues to supply us with an abundance of water. The school and a few other buildings in the valley also draw their supply from this source. Our natural cave near the building will prove an attractive feature as we are enabled to develop it.

We have had a very nice class of patients with us this season, and all seem pleased with their stay. We find that new patronage comes mostly by recommendations of old patrons.

We have recently opened a nurses' exchange in Chattanooga, which is our nearest large city, thirty miles from here. Miss Ida Simmons is in charge, and associated with her are Miss Mabel Wood, Miss Helen Price, and Miss Vinnie Goodner. These workers canvass for Life and Health and for "Ministry of Healing," and as they find opportunity, engage in nursing and giving treatments. The plan is proving fairly successful thus far. It furnishes employment for workers who are not needed in the institution during a dull season, gives good opportunity for them to gain an experience in field work, and also serves to introduce our work to others.

Our training department continues in full force. We have fourteen students, divided evenly between first- and second-year classes.

The nearness of the Southern Training-school enables these two institutions to work together to the advantage of both. Ten or more of the school students spend part of their time doing various kinds of labor at the sanitarium, or are taking studies in connection with both institutions. Dr. A. J. Hetherington is conducting a special class in simple treatments for the school students.

We have been fortunate in securing house plants through the kindness of friends. These are doing quite well, considering our facilities for caring for them, but we shall need a greenhouse by another cold season. We are hoping that some lovers of flowers will be kind enough to help us out in this respect. Our institution is not yet so well established as to be independent of outside assistance.

It will soon be time to plant our flower and vegetable seeds, and here is another way in which material assistance will be very acceptable. We can use a large supply of flower and vegetable seeds, bulbs, plants, vines, and shrubs. We solicit correspondence with any one interested in this direction.

A number of our own people have visited us. We are always glad to entertain them. The general expression is one of gratitude that we have such a well-located institution with such good natural facilities. We trust that the blessing of the Lord will enable us to make the best of these, and that this sanitarium and its work may be a credit to the Lord's cause.

L. A. HANSEN.