The Washington Sanitarium and the Sanitarium Idea
By D. H. Kress
For a generation a wave has been passing over the medical world in favor of rational remedies in the treatment of disease. Drugs, which were at one time universally employed, are now not so much in demand. Physicians have shown a marked tendency in favor of treating disease by external rather than internal remedies. Massage, electricity in its various forms, general and local baths, Russian and electric baths, mechanical and Swedish massage, physical culture exercises, and a corrected and antiseptic dietary are the remedies that are at present recognized by the medical profession as of the greatest value in treating disease. It is recognized that disease is due to auto-intoxication, an accumulation of poisons or organic wastes in the system, and that this results in disturbed circulation of the blood, causing internal congestion. Rational medicine aims to prevent the formation and retention of these wastes by assisting nature to eliminate them, and at the same time equalizing the disturbed circulation of the blood. There is nothing new in the modern medicine idea. The principles upon which it is based, though at times unrecognized, have always existed. Even little birds appreciate the beneficial tonic influence of the cold morning plunge bath. There is nothing known to nature that is more beneficial in equalizing the circulation than impressions made upon the circulatory system from without, and no agent equals water in making these impressions. It is a historical fact that the Russians, Swedes, Tartars, and Finns have for ages employed, in one form or another, water and hot-air baths. Through the ancient Greeks, Romans, Turks, and Russians, the idea of water and hot-air baths as therapeutic agencies has been handed down to the moderns. Rheumatism and kindred complaints have in all ages been treated externally by the application of heat and friction. During recent years electricity has been applied with good results, and among its special uses, none can rank higher in importance than the electric-water and the electric-light baths. The rays of light may be applied to the body without heating the surrounding air. They may be used locally, as on an arm or any painful area. They may be diffused and caused to heat the air surrounding the patient. The result of this bath is increased skin elimination and improved circulation of the blood, etc. In painful affections, the pain may be almost immediately relieved on application of the rays of light. These treatments are merely aids in eliminating poisons from the system. They do not remove the causes which are responsible for their accumulation in every case. In recent years special attention has been called to the fact that disease is usually due to errors in eating. The free use of tea and meat has been condemned by medical authorities as active causes in producing disease. Then again, foods wholesome in themselves may be combined in a manner to cause digestive disorders and general disease. The aim at the present day is to cure disease by the removal of the causes, and by assisting nature, by the use of the natural and rational therapeutic remedies, in the restorative efforts. The aim of the modern sanitarium idea is to bring together and to make use of all rational agencies that can be utilized to assist nature in her efforts to establish a normal condition of body and mind. The sanitarium idea had its origin about forty years ago. The first sanitarium established by Seventh-day Adventists was launched at Battle Creek, Mich., in the year 1866. So successful has been the result of this mode of treatment, that demands were made for enlargement, and for sanitariums in other places. These demands are responsible for the rapid growth of this modern reform in treating disease. At present Seventh-day Adventists have treatment rooms and sanitariums all over the world. They believe bodily healing to be a part of gospel work. While in their sanitariums no doctrinal views are urged upon any, none but skilful Christian men and women are employed. A cheerful Christian influence pervades the place, and is considered essential in aiding the sick in gaining health. The Washington Sanitarium, located at Takoma Park, is one of the most recent additions to the work in Washington. Although it has been in operation only a little over a month, already it has a fair patronage. The location of the Washington Sanitarium is all that could be desired. The surroundings are restful and delightful. The water can not be surpassed for purity. The elevation and surrounding woods and almost constant breeze make it several degrees lower in temperature at the Sanitarium during the warm weather than in the city of Washington, distant only seven miles.