p. 1180 | From the New England Sanitarium

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 4, 1913

From the New England Sanitarium

In a letter from Elder George B. Starr, of the New England Sanitarium, Melrose, Mass., we are told of a prosperous season for that institution, the past summer having seen the largest patronage in the history of the institution. The regular patronage now numbers from fifty to sixty patients. The following presents other encouraging features of the work of the sanitarium:—

“Our field work and nurses’ training is the most satisfactory to us that it has ever been. We have organized a nurses’ seminar, which meets once a week, the class period being from 7 to 7:45 Monday night. In this we are having the junior and senior classes present short talks on health and Bible topics as nearly as possible as we would have them treat the subjects in their field work. These same topics are given again by these nurses in the parlor before the patients. For example, we ask one nurse to take the subject of colds, their prevention, treatment, etc.; another, sore throats; another, influenza; another, pneumonia. After these two experiences we take the same nurses to Cambridge and other places where we are conducting schools of health, and have them assist us by presenting these same subjects again. The people have been very much interested, and seem to enjoy the nurses’ short talks. Dr. Bliss and I are both present at the house lectures to assist in answering questions and building up any weak points after the nurses have talked. Our manager, J. G. White, assisted by a small committee from among the nurses, has the oversight of the seminar work. The teachers of the classes of the various subjects presented act as critics.

“In the field work we take out from two to three of the first- and second-year classes three days a week. These little companies we place under the leadership of one selected from the class, and make them responsible for the working of a small territory assigned each company. They are doing well in the Harvest Ingathering work at present, and some have made appointments for Bible readings. We are trying also to adapt our instruction in Bible, physiology, and hydrotherapy perfectly to this field work. This present organization is adding new life and interest to all the studies and work. We feel that we have made a great mistake in the past in not putting our freshmen right into the field. They are doing excellent work this year. This enables us to reserve the seniors for the house nursing and lecture work.”