The Atlanta Sanitarium by Chas. F. Curtis

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 18, 1907

The Atlanta Sanitarium

By Chas. F. Curtis

WE are told that small sanitariums should be established at many places, and it is in harmony with this instruction that an effort is being made to maintain a sanitarium at Atlanta, Ga. The mild, healthful climate, even temperature, and good water, together with the prosperous condition of the State, make it a very desirable place for such an institution. Atlanta is a thriving city of rapid growth, having grown during the last twenty years in population from sixty thousand to over one hundred and twenty-five thousand, its growth in the past year having been exceeded by only one city in the United States. It is among the leading cities of the South as an educational and manufacturing center, as well as a favorite resort for tourists.

Some eighteen years ago our deceased brother, Elder S. H. Lane, and the writer purchased the lot on which the sanitarium is built. It was then in the midst of forest trees and old battle-fields, no streets having been laid out. Under the trees we knelt and dedicated the ground and the building that should be erected to the work of the Lord.

In 1893 it was sold to the Review and Herald Publishing Company, and a branch office was established for the Southern field. It was here that the first periodical for the South, the Southern Review, had its birth. While it was headquarters for our publishing work in this field, it was also the home and retreat for our workers when sick. Many were brought here to be nursed back to health, and were sent out again into the Master's vineyard, and are now filling important positions in other fields.

When the publishing work was moved to Nashville, Tenn., efforts were made to sell the property, but no sale could be effected. Then word came through the spirit of prophecy that it should not be sold, but that it should be donated to the medical missionary work in this part of the field, to be used for a sanitarium; and that means should be donated to properly equip it for sanitarium purposes. The first part of this instruction has been cheerfully complied with, the publishing company having kindly donated the property, but the latter part is still partially unfulfilled. After putting in bath-room facilities, and using it for a time, it became too small to meet the needs of the work, and an addition was begun; but before it was finished, it was found to be still insufficient. The accompanying cut shows the front as it stands now, an unfinished structure three stories high, of twenty rooms including treatment and bath room and a basement. Only eight of these rooms are in a condition to entertain patients. The third story is wholly unfinished, and some rooms in the first and second stories are only lathed. The elevator shaft is all open from the basement to the third story. No dining-room or kitchen has been built, an unfinished room in the basement being used for that purpose. In time of heavy rain, water runs into the basement until, even in the room used for a kitchen, it has to be baled out with buckets. Our bath-room facilities are entirely inadequate. More room also is needed in this department. With our limited conveniences and an average of only two workers, nearly fifteen hundred treatments were given in 1906.

The means of lighting and heating is very meager, only a part of the rooms being furnished with gas. The means of heating is by stoves, which is an inconvenient as well as expensive method.

A demand for a good institution of this kind in this large city is demonstrated by the fact that notwithstanding the existing conditions, many patients have cheerfully adapted themselves to the situation for the sake of the benefits derived from right methods of treating disease. Among those coming are editors and manager of two of the leading daily papers of the city, members of the legislature, and leading physicians.

Many living in the city have visited our sanitariums in the North, and would gladly avail themselves of the privileges of a thoroughly equipped sanitarium in their home city.

The premises outside the building are very uninviting, being surrounded by a broken-down fence, with no lawn or flower garden. Under the present condition this branch of the work of God is not properly represented in this place.

CHAS. F. CURTIS.