Editorial by Francis McLellan Wilcox

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 29, 1912

Editorial

By Francis McLellan Wilcox

Editorial Correspondence

BOULDER, COLO., Feb. 6, 1912.

It was a pleasure to greet again the family of workers at the Boulder-Colorado Sanitarium. In connection with this institution the writer spent several years of labor; hence it is endeared to him by many pleasant associations.

The family has almost entirely changed since the early days of its history, only two remaining of those connected with it from its beginning; viz., Brother A. Bernsen, the chief engineer, and Brother J. E. Pegg, in charge of the laboratory.

This sanitarium was dedicated in July, 1896, hence it has been in operation nearly sixteen years. The original investment represented nearly seventy-five thousand dollars. The present plant consists of the main building, containing about sixty rooms; two large cottages, of fourteen rooms each; and eleven other cottages of from one to five rooms. Another large brick building contains the steam power and electric-lighting plant, the steam laundry, and the bakery. During the last two years a gymnasium building has been erected, affording good facilities for the guests in this regard. The institution operates a dairy of about one dozen cows, which is providing excellent milk and cream, as well as materially lessening the cost to the institution of these food products.

The Boulder-Colorado Sanitarium has passed through some very trying experiences during its history. Many influences have combined to operate against the work. Originally it treated quite large numbers of consumptive patients. This gave the institution the reputation of being a consumptive sanitarium, and for years after the sanitarium ceased treating this class of patients, it suffered from the effects of the reputation it had earned. For years it met much opposition from opposing medical institutions. But it is a cause for great gratitude that at the present time the sanitarium enjoys the hearty support of our people in Colorado and throughout the Central West, and all are manifesting an active interest in its welfare.

Great embarrassment has come to this institution during the last few years through the many changes in its medical staff. During its sixteen years' history, there have been eight medical superintendents presiding over the medical work of the institution. Such frequent changes of physicians can bring only disastrous results to any institution. Every physician creates a constituency of friends and patients. With his departure from the institution there is a loss in a large measure of this constituency, and the succeeding physician must start anew and create a constituency of his own. If our sanitariums can maintain a settled medical staff of competent physicians, their opportunities for success will be greatly increased. It is to be hoped that the present medical staff of the Boulder-Colorado Sanitarium may be continued indefinitely until a strong, stable work is built up.

Dr. H. A. Green, the present medical superintendent, has now been connected with the work for one year. He has found for himself a large place in the hearts of his associates and of the patrons of the sanitarium. He is an excellent surgeon and a general practitioner of broad experience, and is doing commendable work in this institution. Associated with him is Dr. Mary Weber, in charge of the ladies' department, who is also rendering excellent service. Miss Grace Mitchell is doing most acceptable work as head nurse, and Brother V. E. Thompson as the manager of the men's treatment department.

We were pleased to find still in active service Dr. Kate Lindsay, who for the last twelve years has done hard, faithful, and competent service in this sanitarium, at times carrying a heavy load of medical work when changes have been made in the medical staff, and at all times carrying the chief burden of teaching in the nurses' training-school. Although past seventy years of age, her optimistic view of life keeps her hard at work, and the scores of excellent young men and women who have gone out as nurses from this institution can bear witness to the faithfulness and efficiency of her instruction.

One handicap, however, which has always embarrassed the work still exists, and that is the fact that nearly all the tourist travel to Colorado comes in the summer, and but very little during the winter months. Could the great advantages of Colorado's winter climate be known throughout the East, the institution would be filled to overflowing the year round. As it is, the winter patronage often runs down very low. As a rule, sanitariums can not depend upon local patronage for their support. They must draw patients from a large territory; and it is to be earnestly hoped that with a better knowledge of Colorado winter conditions, the State will see constantly a larger influx of winter visitors, and that the sanitarium will reap the benefit of this condition.

Those in charge of the sanitarium, however, are not waiting for this change in the tide of travel. They are putting forth earnest efforts in the way of judicious advertising to bring to the sanitarium those who should receive its benefits. At the present writing, the sanitarium contains a fair winter patronage, which is daily increasing.

The business manager and secretary-treasurer, Brother Chas. E. Rice, aided by Brother Baker, has labored hard and diligently during the last two years in promoting the material interests of the work. The report of the institution rendered at the meeting of the Central Union Conference at College View, Nebr., showed a gain of over seven thousand dollars for the last two years.

The food department, under the management of Brother Ward Cooper, assisted by Ora Luick and Earl Austin, has likewise been meeting with excellent success. The last year's business showed a fair profit, and the grade of foods now being made by this factory is excellent, and is giving splendid satisfaction.

Three nurses' classes constitute the present training-school. The senior class consists of seventeen earnest young men and women. Of those finishing their work the present year, a number are preparing for work in the field. From this sanitarium in the past Mr. and Mrs. R. R. Cook, Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Kelsey, and Misses Nellie Wagner and Bertha Fuller have gone as missionaries to India; Mr. and Mrs. John Herboltzheimer and Miss Hattie Harriman to Japan; Mr. Helfred Toppenberg to Scandinavia; and Miss Frances Brockman to Argentina. In the home field other graduates have found places of responsibility in connection with institutions and conferences. It is to be hoped that this spirit of service for others may be seen in large measure in all the nurses who shall be graduated from this institution in the future.

It gave us pleasure while in Boulder to meet with the church in this place, numbering about two hundred fifty members. Elder J. S. Rouse is in charge of the church work, as well as acting as chaplain at the sanitarium, where he is assisted by Sister Annie Sufficool as Bible worker among the guests. We are gratified to see the improvements that have been made in the church building, and to learn that it is nearly free from

indebtedness, and that the members of the church are working unitedly and harmoniously in seeking to build up the interests of the kingdom of Christ in this center.

We found here Sister L. L. McCamley, who spent several years of earnest work in India, and who is still doing all that health and strength will permit to advance in a local way the interests of the work.

We believe that in the providence of God a bright future is before the work in Boulder. This sanitarium will yet do its appointed work; and if those connected with it in a spirit of consecration and humility labor for its success, the blessing of God will turn its captivity; the darkness will disperse; and light and blessing and power will rest upon the work, and from it into all the surrounding territory, as has been stated by the spirit of prophecy, there will go out saving power. The assurances and promises given should prove a source of cheer and encouragement to the workers now connected with this medical center.

F. M. W.