p. 19 | Sanitarium Relief Campaign by L. A. Hansen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 9, 1910

Sanitarium Relief Campaign

By L. A. Hansen

More Reasons for Sanitarium Debts

LAST week attention was called to some of the reasons for sanitarium indebtedness, such as the original and initial debts resting upon a number of our sanitariums when first secured or established, the heavy annual interest accounts, and the want of sufficient constituency to support. Other things have materially affected sanitarium finances, some of the most important of which are herewith given.

Recent Organizations and Difficulties

Our sanitarium work has not had the advantage of many years of organized effort on the part of the denomination as a body. While it is now a department of the organization, and receives attention as such, there is even yet much to do in perfecting plans for its oversight and conduct. Its present stage of organization has been reached only by much hard work on the part of men of responsibility.

As is known to us all, a peculiar situation surrounded the medical work a few years ago, the adjustment of which gave much perplexity, and demanded a great deal of attention. At that time our work in general was assuming new phases in its formation and relations. The medical work was at a point where large interests were involved. To place it in the position it now occupies in denominational interests, time and means were required, which, if spent in connection with its direct management and administration, would doubtless be evident now in the financial strength of our sanitariums.

A turn for the better has come in this respect, however; and men in charge of the work are now free to devote their time to supporting and fostering this branch along with the rest. Their counsel is available in questions involving matters of operation and conduct, thus insuring a success that could not be so well attained under other conditions.

Limited Experience

As already suggested, our denominational experience in the actual conduct of sanitarium work does not extend over many years. In assuming the responsibility of a number of large institutions, we took up a work for which we had at the time comparatively few men who were prepared, by training and otherwise, to manage it. The number of competent workers has at no time been equal, either at home or abroad, to the demands made by the rapid growth of our medical missionary work in the field and in institutions.

In manning our sanitariums it has at times been necessary to use workers who were new to institutional work. The weight of responsibility is usually laid upon the medical superintendent and the business manager. Sometimes they are the only ones of the entire board of directors who are at all acquainted with sanitarium requisites and methods of operation.

When, in order to strengthen the work or place workers to the best advantage, changes are made in the heads of institutions, there is incurred for the time being an expense and loss. The successful management of a large sanitarium, with its varied interests,—medical practice, business, religion, education, training, discipline, and other matters,—can be assured only by the most favorable conditions. The highest capabilities are needed, and the most sympathetic co-operation is required. Spiritual strength is of paramount importance.

It is little to be wondered at that in the beginning of our experience in these large enterprises we should have come short of doing all that needed to be done. But here, too, we are making progress, we are gaining experience. Men and women are being trained, greater co-operation is seen, economical methods are being learned, and, as a whole, greater efficiency is developing.

Success Not Immediate

It may be reasonably questioned if our sanitariums can be expected to make a success from their beginning. It is claimed by good authorities that institutions of this character require a few years to become self-supporting. Many hospitals and sanitariums are fortunate in having an endowment fund, or help from city or State, or assistance in some other way; but this is not the case with our institutions. They are dependent upon their earnings to meet running expenses, and the expenses can not always be made to fit the income. If for any reason there is a lack in the receipts, a deficit will result.

Financial Panic

Only those directly concerned can know how sanitarium patronage is affected by conditions in general. It fluctuates very much with the prosperity of the times. For example, the last financial panic had a disastrous effect on the business of these institutions. In some cases practically the entire patronage was lost, while in others a large portion of it went. This was not simply for a brief period, but extended over several months. Some of the sanitariums are only now recovering from its effect. As people find it necessary to curtail expenses, they begin with things they think they can least afford, and, strange as it may seem, the care of the health is one of the first items on which they usually try to save. This means the actual loss of income to health institutions while they are not in position to make a corresponding saving in their operating expenses.

Misfortunes

As most of our people are aware, our sanitariums have not been immune from disasters. Serious loss has been felt in some instances by fire, accident, or other misfortune, which may mean loss of patronage for a time, as well as property loss. In one or two instances an unfortunate location for the institution has been chosen, and it has been utterly impossible to make a success of the work.

Other items might be mentioned as affecting the financial condition of our sanitariums, but enough has been said to indicate that the matter may well be looked upon as one of cause and effect. Conditions that would affect other enterprises with a large volume of interests will more or less affect our sanitarium business. As we realize this, we shall be the better prepared to meet emergencies, and to provide against things that can be avoided.

As the matter now stands, we are all asked to put forth a little personal effort in a plan that is simple in its accomplishment, and yet effective in meeting the situation created by the adverse conditions presented. Having done all that we can, we may the more reasonably expect that God will add his special blessing. L. A. HANSEN.