Sanitarium Work on the Island of Barbados by William Warren Prescott

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Aug 17, 1916

Sanitarium Work on the Island of Barbados

By William Warren Prescott

ON the morning of Sunday, July 9, the steamship “Vauban,” on which I was returning from South America to the United States, anchored in the harbor of Bridgetown, Barbados.

Before leaving Buenos Aires, I had learned from our Year Book that Dr. Charles Cave was conducting a sanitarium at Hastings, on the island of Barbados, and I decided to go on shore and pay a visit to his institution. One of the boatmen who took us from the ship to the pier informed me that Hastings was a suburb of Bridgetown, and that it could be reached by a car line. A ride of about half an hour brought us to the Barbados Sanitarium, which seemed to be well known to the conductor of the car. We were heartily welcomed by Dr. and Mrs. Cave, who showed us over the institution, and gave us a brief history of their experiences in Barbados.

It appeared that several years ago the British government quartered quite a large number of troops on the island, and that they constructed in that section several large buildings to accommodate the soldiers and officers. A short time ago the government withdrew its troops from the island, and these properties were then placed upon the market. The building occupied by Dr. Cave as a sanitarium was erected for the use of the medical officers. As shown in the illustration, it is a large two-story building, with ample porches on all sides. We found the rooms large and airy, and the outfit for medical treatments quite complete, including shower, spray, needle, and electric-light baths, and the usual provision for other treatments.

I learned from Dr. Cave that the institution was enjoying an excellent patronage, and had the good will and co-operation of the best class of people on the island. The grounds comprise four acres, with several buildings, in addition to the one shown in the illustration; and from the front of the main building a most beautiful view of the open sea can be had.

It was a refreshing change from life on board the ship to sit on the cool and airy porch of this sanitarium; and in addition to the pleasure of meeting Dr. and Mrs. Cave and learning of their work, we had the privilege of reading copies of the REVIEW AND HERALD and Youth’s Instructor, covering a period of several weeks, including practically all the papers which had not reached us in South America. We appreciated the courtesy shown us by Dr. and Mrs. Cave, and left them with hearty good wishes for the further prosperity of their work.

W. W. PRESCOTT.