Sanitarium Interests in the South
By D. H. K.
The South is still a needy field, and for this reason appeals to us for help. It has been demonstrated that there are wonderful possibilities before those who are willing to sacrifice in order that the gospel may go to the colored race. God, who has blessed these efforts in the past, will continue to bless every effort to help this needy people, and precious jewels will be gathered from among them. Opportunities at Asheville
There are many cities of the South where an excellent work could be done by devoted medical missionaries for the white population. Asheville, N. C., one of the most healthful cities to be found in the South, affords a splendid opening for such work. It is situated among the hills at an elevation of about twenty-two hundred feet. The air is balmy, and the immediate surroundings and views are delightful. Thousands come to Asheville or to the surrounding hills every year to recuperate and regain health. There is an excellent church and parsonage at this place. A small health home with two or three intelligent medical missionaries could do a good work in this city. The same need exists at Knoxville and other cities of the South. The Nashville (Tenn.) Sanitarium
Our sanitarium at Nashville has had some perplexities, but I can see a future of promise before this institution. During the past three years the patronage and income of the institution have practically doubled, though it is not yet on a paying basis. Owing to a lack of means, the institution has not been able to keep up necessary repairs, and the treatment-rooms do not appeal to the better class of people, who are willing and able to pay for what they get. Financial assistance is needed to place the institution where it can accomplish what it ought. Modest treatment-rooms, with a chapel above, would add greatly to the equipment, and would enable the institution to please a better class of patients. We trust some of our more prosperous institutions will come to the help of our sanitarium at this place. Nashville is an important educational center, and is called “the Athens of the South.” Over twenty-five thousand students are said to be in training in the city, aside from those in the public schools. Dr. W. A. George has worked faithfully for this sanitarium; and it is now thought advisable to associate with him a good house physician, so that he may be able to devote his time more exclusively to surgery, and to looking after the general interests of the work. Dr. R. M. Clarke, of Michigan, has been invited to connect with the sanitarium. This will be a great help to the work at Nashville. The sanitarium is suitably situated for carrying on educational and medical missionary work in the city, and it is planned to do this as the work develops.18 The Work at Madison, Tenn.
About eight miles from Nashville, Profs. P. T. Magan and E. A. Sutherland are carrying on their work. They have a good location for their school and sanitarium, where there are over seventy students in training for the hill-country schools. Already a number of schools have been started for the poor whites in the hills, in each of which there are from twenty to sixty students in attendance. The Lord has greatly blessed their work. The sanitarium, though small, answers their purpose well, and is filled with patients. The work on the farm, in the school, and in the sanitarium, is done entirely by student help. This affords all an education of a practical nature,—just such an education as they need to work successfully for the poor people in the hills. School and Sanitarium at Graysville, Tenn.
At Graysville we have a good school and sanitarium, close enough together so they can be of mutual benefit. The sanitarium is in a most desirable location. It has a splendid supply of pure mountain water. The climate is excellent. It is just the kind of place to draw patients as it becomes better known. Dr. A. I. Lovell and his wife are doing faithful work, assisted by a competent and devoted staff of helpers. Soon in the future this institution will be well filled with patients the year round. The Atlanta (Ga.) Sanitarium has a pleasant city location. During the past year the institution has had a good patronage, and is in a prosperous condition. Dr. J. H. Neall, the physician in charge, is planning to do considerable educational work in Atlanta during the present year. At Orlando, Fla., the sanitarium is constantly filled with patients. While the buildings are not what they ought to be, the climate and surroundings will always make this an ideal spot for health-seekers. The board is planning to erect a suitable main building for patients. This is greatly needed. The present building will then be utilized for the accommodation of workers, and patients who can not afford to pay the higher rates. There is no reason why the Orlando Sanitarium should not make a success of its work. There are other places in Florida where small conference institutions could be successfully conducted. Small sanitariums located near the leading cities could carry forward an excellent work; and if economically conducted, they would be able to finance themselves. Properly conducted, the health work paves the way for other truths to reach the hearts of the people. Especially in the cities it should be kept to the front.