Medical Missionary Work in Nashville by W. A. R.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 10, 1910

Medical Missionary Work in Nashville

By W. A. R.

IN and around this important city of the South is a promising place for this kind of work. The Nashville Sanitarium is near the city; Rock City Sanitarium, conducted for the colored people, is in the city; and a sanitarium is connected with the Madison school, ten miles northeast of Nashville.

The Nashville Sanitarium was established five years ago. A new institution was built three miles east of the city, out in the open country. The grounds of the sanitarium consist of ten acres of good land, which, with about twenty acres of leased land, is used for farming, raising vegetables for the institution, and pasture. A sufficient part of the land is reserved for well-planned, beautiful grounds, so that the patients have abundant opportunity to get out into the open air and sunshine.

While in attendance at the Southern Union conference, held in Nashville, it was my privilege to visit these institutions and become acquainted with their work. I found the Nashville Sanitarium full to overflowing with patients. Only for one night was I able to secure room in the institution. This condition of a full house has continued for several months, and the prospect for the institution is bright.

Not all the rooms in the main building can be utilized for patients, as there is no dormitory for the workers. A dwelling-house near the institution is rented for workers, but this does not nearly meet the demand. A nurses' dormitory is one of the greatest needs. There are only about enough rooms available for patients to meet the running expenses of the institution, consequently there is little hope that the institution will earn a surplus to apply on its indebtedness until provision is made for housing the nurses outside of the main building. While the capacity of the building is nearly forty, twenty-five patients are about all that can be accommodated comfortably.

Financially the institution is doing remarkably well, considering the length of time it has been operating, the changes made in the staff, and the capacity for patients. The increase in earnings over the previous year was between two thousand and three thousand dollars.

The sanitarium during the past year sustained a heavy loss in the bursting of the underground pressure tank for water. The supply of water is an important consideration. The matter did not receive proper consideration in planning the institution, and consequently much inconvenience and expense have been the result all through its history.

The present staff of workers in the Nashville Sanitarium is as follows: Two physicians, business man and manager, four graduate nurses, eight second-year nurses, seven first-year nurses, and eight other workers.

A country sanitarium is being conducted by Dr. Eshelman-Magan, in connection with the school at Madison, about twelve miles from Nashville. This is built upon the college plan. It has enjoyed a goodly patronage from the first. The institution is beautifully located on the oak-covered, rolling hills of Tennessee.

Of the three institutions providing sanitarium conveniences for the colored people, one, the Rock City Sanitarium, is located in the city of Nashville. This little institution is quite well equipped, and will accommodate a dozen patients very comfortably. Dr. Isbell Blake acts as its superintendent. Her husband is pursuing medical studies in Nashville, and assists the doctor as needed in managing the institution. Many excellent opportunities come to them to help their own people. The doctor is giving instruction in one of Nashville's leading medical schools for colored people.

From Nashville I went to Huntsville, Ala., to visit the Oakwood Manual Training School. A small but neat and well-built sanitarium has been constructed in connection with this institution. Classes in simple treatments are being conducted, and about a dozen young persons are taking the nurses' course. Several graduates have completed the work here, and are doing acceptable work among their people in that needy field. Dr. Bascomb was in charge of the medical work until a few months ago, when failing health made it necessary for her to withdraw. Another physician is much needed there. It is hoped that a consecrated physician can be found to help carry on this good work.

This little sanitarium is not yet completed, and there is no furniture or equipment. The money that we have been calling for from our Northern sanitariums and young people's societies for a year or more is very much needed in these places,—Huntsville, Rock City, and Atlanta.

W. A. R.