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Tri-City Sanitarium

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · May 23, 1907

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 84, No. 21.

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Tri-City Sanitarium

By S. P. S. Edwards, M. D.

THIS institution, which is situated in the beautiful city of Moline, Ill., was the outgrowth of the circulation of medical literature by several workers under the direction of Dr. J. E. Froom, the effort resulting first in very modest bathroom facilities in a private residence. As the patronage increased, the facilities also grew, until, through the kindness of Mrs. M. E. Stewart, a member of the Moline church, the present site was secured, and after the expenditure of a number of thousand dollars, what is declared by many to be an edition de luxe among sanitariums was established. This sanitarium is carried on under the direction and ownership of the Northern Illinois Medical Missionary and Sanitarium Association. This association is composed of the delegates to the annual session of the Northern Illinois Conference, and holds its meetings in connection with this organization, nine trustees holding the vested property rights and directing in the management of the institution.
The main building of the sanitarium is a beautiful frame structure about one hundred and fifty by sixty-five feet, three stories high, with a commodious basement. The improvements made during the last year provide accommodations for twenty patients, besides providing for many of the family of helpers within the main building. Public rooms, such as halls, parlor, dining-room, etc., are very nicely, though simply finished and decorated, giving a refined, quiet, homelike atmosphere to the place. The new bath-rooms are declared by all who have seen them to be the nicest and most satisfactorily arranged of those in any similar institution which they have visited.
The site of the sanitarium is on a high bluff, with fine terraced lawn, and without obstruction as to view or ventilation from the surrounding buildings, and is so situated that in summer the temperature averages two degrees lower than much of the surrounding city, and in the winter the temperature, except in cases of high winds, is two or three degrees higher than the temperature of the surrounding country.
The natural surroundings afford abundant opportunity for recreation. Beautiful streets; several pretty parks, including the government reservation, on which is located the Rock Island Arsenal; the river, with boating in summer, and skating and ice-boating in winter; the numerous points of interest, from both a natural and historical standpoint, of the surrounding country, afford an unlimited opportunity for outdoor recreation.
The institution employs two or three physicians, and from fifteen to twenty nurses continually. Having a population of one hundred thousand from which to draw patronage in the three cities, Moline, Rock Island, and Davenport, the institution has steadily grown until it is practically full the year round.
The size of the institution is such that it is possible to maintain a very pleasant family spirit both among the helpers and among the patients. The atmosphere of institutionalism, which is liable to interfere with the greatest success of larger institutions, is eliminated, so that each helper and each patient can receive a larger amount of personal attention, and feel a great deal more of the personal interest in all that is going on in the institution. This enables the patients to feel less of loneliness and homesickness, and inspires the helpers to do more efficient work and to take more interest in the success of the institution.
During the past year between three and four hundred patients were cared for in the institution, the gross earnings reaching something over twelve thousand dollars, of which amount about fifteen hundred dollars was paid out for charitable and benevolent work.
The real estate of the institution has a valuation of about forty thousand dollars. The present worth is $22,571.67. The last fiscal year shows a net gain of $1,182.18.
The nurses’ training course covers a period of three years, and includes a regular course of Bible and missionary study, and frequently work along missionary lines, in Christian Help work, visiting nurse work, and personal missionary work, and familiarity with foreign missions and missionaries.
The list of employees at present in the institution is as follows:— Physicians, S. P. S. Edwards, M. D., and Maria L. Edwards, M. D.; Medical Matron, Laura M. Jensen; House Matron, Mrs. R. T. Just; Steward and Accountant, W. C. Forman; Nurses, R. T. Just, Pearl Long, Clara Maas, Edna Andrews, Cora Young, Mary Jessen, Irene Snyder, Hannah Anderson, Jenette Smith, Emma Nelson, Nina Carl.
S. P. S. EDWARDS, M. D.