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Visiting Sanitariums

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jul 1, 1915

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 92, No. 32.

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Visiting Sanitariums

By L. A. Hansen

IN connection with our trip to the West on account of the medical conventions, Dr. H. W. Miller and the writer had opportunity to visit several of the Western sanitariums, together with other places of interest. A few days were spent at the Mayo Clinics, in Rochester, Minn., where Dr. Miller made good use of the professional advantages offered. We there met Dr. A. I. Lovell, who was taking a week of special work, stopping on his way to Madison, Wis., where he was again taking the work of house physician. Dr. Miller had opportunity to address the physicians in club meeting, giving some experiences and observations in medical missionary work in China. To me, the visit to Rochester was of great interest. I was privileged to attend the clinics and lectures, and could make quite close observation of the general character of this world-known medical work. The magnitude of the thing surprised me. The large medical building has offices for seventy-five physicians, who are all on the Mayo staff. Hundreds of persons were going and coming. We were told they number nine hundred to a thousand in the busy season. Three thousand physicians a year visit the place.Rochester is a veritable medical center, offering probably as good as may be had in medical service from the standpoint of professional and technical skill. The large hospital, in charge of Catholic sisters, is more than taxed in its capacity to care for the surgical cases.
Our own sanitarium work has a distinct field of service, and holds its own identity as a system of healing, and is not in competition with other work. It does not seek to hold a place in world esteem; it does not depend upon greatness of men, nor magnitude of buildings or equipment; yet it must do a work that is of the highest order.
At Walla Walla, Wash., we held meetings with the sanitarium and school. Dr. J. B. Gillis was in charge of the sanitarium, in the absence of Dr. John Reith, the superintendent, who was attending the medical convention at Loma Linda. The work of the institution seemed in a prosperous condition.
At Portland, Oregon, we found the sanitarium quite busy, mostly with surgical work. Dr. W. B. Holden is superintendent, and Dr. Karl C. Moran house physician. The manager, C. M. Everest, was absent, being at the Loma Linda meeting. C. J. Cummings is doing successful work as chaplain. It was necessary to hold meetings with the sanitarium family in two sections, to enable all to attend.
The St. Helena Sanitarium was enjoying a fair patronage. The two or three days there were full of interest, and were spent in studying the conduct of the work, meeting with the workers, and visiting the various places of interest. Dr. G. E. Klingerman, the superintendent, holds the confidence of patients and workers. Drs. F. B. Jones, Ida S. Nelson, and Elsie B. Merritt are all doing their part to assist in the medical interests.
The St. Helena Sanitarium Dispensary, at 916 Laguna St., San Francisco, Cal., was of special interest to us from the standpoint of its possibilities in offering training and experience to nurses, and in reaching a large field in the city. Two nurses, Brother and Sister Geo. B. Kuhn were in charge, and reported a fair amount of work being done, with prospects of more. The equipment installed is sufficient for giving the usual bathroom treatments. Certain hours of the week are open for consultation with a physician.
The Vegetarian Cafeteria, at 714 Market St., is under supervision of the St. Helena Sanitarium, and offers excellent dining accommodations to the many visitors to the exposition. Our own people visiting San Francisco will do well to remember this place. It is located in the heart of the city, and those in charge are very courteous and considerate in rendering any possible assistance to the visitor.
At Loma Linda we found a work of large proportions. The sanitarium had its full quota of house patients. There was everything to be desired from the standpoint of location, beauty, equipment, and staff to make this sanitarium highly successful. A full corps of doctors, nurses, and other helpers, all of whom apparently possess an earnest spirit of devotion, were busily engaged in caring for the large number of patients and guests then present. Everything indicated busy activity.
At Glendale, Cal., we found our sanitarium doing well. Interior improvements were under way. Outdoor changes also helped in making this beautiful sanitarium more attractive. Drs. D. D. Comstock and Belle Wood-Comstock are carrying the medical work with splendid success. V. H. Lucas is in charge of the business matters, while C. F. Marvin is chaplain. An item of special interest is the manner in which the nurses are doing active missionary work in the city. They have a missionary band organized, and in various ways the company of nurses has opportunity of doing practical missionary work. The training school seemed strong. The patronage of the institution was excellent.
At Long Beach, Cal., we visited the sanitarium work conducted by Mr. W. Ray Simpson and Dr. Abbie Winegar-Simpson. These workers expressed much interest in the progress of our medical missionary work, and were cordial in their welcome. Their institution is nicely located and well equipped.
At Los Angeles we had the privilege of visiting the vegetarian cafeteria conducted by E. G. Fulton. We were surprised to note the amount of work done, and to see how the large patronage is held, notwithstanding no meals are served between Friday noon and Sunday morning. The amount of business done indicates the interest that people will show in a vegetarian diet when it is properly prepared and suitably served. The fare left nothing to be desired by one seeking a palatable and wholesome diet.
A few miles from San Diego, Cal., and a little way out from National City, is the Paradise Valley Sanitarium, beautifully located, well equipped, and well manned by competent workers. Dr. W. J. Johnson is the medical superintendent, and C. E. Rice is business manager. Both these men hold the esteem of the family. Excellent work is being done, both professionally and financially.
Our California sanitariums are working together, studying the needs of the institutions and the best methods of carrying on the work. The men in charge show a disposition to cooperate loyally, and the relation of counsel and planning is proving a mutual strength to these institutions. We may look for good results, and may expect some good suggestions from that part of the field.
Besides our visit to the Boulder-Colorado Sanitarium, which has already received attention in our report, I visited Hastings, Nebr., and Wichita, Kans. At the first-named place I found the sanitarium prospering financially, and enjoying a widening field of professional service. Dr. E. D. Haysmer is making friends with the medical men of the community. Dr. Clara Schunk is assistant physician. Brother A. F. Kirk is caring for the business interests.
The College View sanitarium, one of our largest, was almost filled with patients. A number of improvements had been made in the building, and others were in progress. Drs. J. D. and Eva M. Shively care for the medical interests, and Burton Castle is business manager. All show a spirit of progressiveness.
The Kansas Sanitarium at Wichita is making unusual progress. The last day of my visit five applicants were turned away, the house being filled to its utmost capacity. Some needed improvements are being effected. Dr. L. A. Sutter is ably carrying the medical work. R. L. Carson is business manager. The standing of the institution is shown somewhat by the friendly attitude toward it on the part of residents, an increasing patronage being seen from among the best people of Wichita.
In connection with this Western trip a number of stereopticon lectures were given at institutions and churches, covering the progress of our institutional work in sanitariums, schools, and publishing houses. Another set of slides shown in a number of places presented the latest information on medical frauds and quackery. These lectures seemed well received.
L. A. HANSEN.