The Oakwood Sanitarium by M. M. MARTINSON

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 30, 1910

The Oakwood Sanitarium

By M. M. MARTINSON

For a number of years, different ones have planned to have a sanitarium in connection with the Oakwood Manual Training School. Nothing was done, however, until two years ago last January, at which time it was the writer's privilege to help plan a small sanitarium to be erected on the east side of the Oakwood campus. Last year the school erected the building. It is only thirty-two feet by fifty feet, with a basement for the hot-water tank, students' bathrooms, and a general treatment-room. The first floor has a parlor, two medical rooms, a dining-room, a kitchen, and a matron's room. The second floor has seven rooms for patients.

Owing to lack of funds, the sanitarium was not finished last year. The brethren were very anxious to see the building completed, so just as soon as I arrived, plans were laid to finish the building. We are now fixing up the basement for treatment-rooms, putting in the sewer and connections. We bought an old hot-water heater, and ordered a tank for the treatment-rooms. We have also ordered an equipment for heating the building. As soon as we can get these in, we hope to open the institution for patients, and treat them medically and surgically. We hope to draw patients from all over the South. We not only expect to have patients, but we want to get in touch with bright young colored people who will make good nurses, and with the aid of the school and the sanitarium we shall be able to give them a valuable training.

One brother has given us a set of parlor furniture, and another has given money to furnish a room nicely. Some have helped on our treatment outfit, but we need much more, and anything that will make such an institution homelike will be thankfully received.

Last year the Oakwood Manual Training School graduated five nurses, who are all out in the field, and, so far as we can ascertain, are doing well. The senior class this year consists of four girls and one boy, and the junior class of four girls and two boys.

On the first of June the summer school will open, and the workers from the Southern field will be here. Some of the main studies will be anatomy, physiology, and health reform. We hope to give some health studies, thus meeting the people where they are, and enlightening them in regard to the principles of health reform.

M. M. MARTINSON.