Graysville (Tenn.) Sanitarium by M. M. Martinson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 21, 1907

Graysville (Tenn.) Sanitarium

By M. M. Martinson

THINKING it would be a pleasure to many of the readers of the REVIEW, who have donated to this institution, to learn of the work that is being done here, we will mention a few items of interest.

It has been over four years since the work on this institution was begun. At that time (1902) it was thought that we could soon raise money to build and equip an institution for work. But it soon became known that the financial end of the work was the largest part, and it has been up-hill work on account of lack of facilities. The building has stood in an unfinished condition, and the facilities have been very meager. It was not until last spring that we were able to ceil our verandas, and we have just finished the second coat of paint.

This is what we call a country sanitarium. Graysville is thirty-two miles north of Chattanooga, on the Queen & Crescent road. Waldon's Ridge is on the west, and Black Oak Ridge is on the east, and Lone Mountain lies between the two. On the south side of this mountain our sanitarium is located. The climate is mild, the air is pure, and there is no dust, and no noise. The scenery is unexcelled. We have a four-story building, with verandas around the first three stories. The building will accommodate from fifteen to twenty patients, and a corresponding number of helpers. Our land consists of about forty-five acres, most of which is on the mountainside. However, there is enough lowland for a good garden, and on the mountain we are starting an orchard.

We have two fine springs. The one above the building supplies water for our water-system at thirty-five pounds' pressure on the first floor. The spring not only supplies the sanitarium with water, but also the school. We also have a good-sized cave. Take it all round, we have one of the most pleasant sites that could be selected for a sanitarium. In the winter we are quite well protected from the wind, and in the summer we are up so high that it is much cooler than in the village. The building is heated with noiseless steam heat, and we have our own electric-light plant, which supplies electricity for all kinds of lights and treatments. We have two bath-rooms equipped with electric-light cabinets and a full line of hydropathic appliances. Our offices are furnished with a static machine, X-ray, actinic lamp, and vibrator of the latest pattern. However, most of the office instruments are private.

Ever since the institution was started, it has been our aim to conduct the work so that it could stand as a monument for the truth. Much of the time it has been up-hill work on account of the unfinished condition of the building and the lack of facilities. Could the building and equipments have been improved two years ago, we might have been doing many times what we have done. We have lived here four years, and have not a conveyance to take our patients to and from the station, which is almost a mile away. We need a cellar and storehouse for provisions, where vegetables, fruits, and kitchen supplies could be kept. The grounds need to be graded and improved. The only musical instrument that we have so far is an old organ worth about ten dollars. We need a good piano.

We do not wish this to be a discouraging report, but if we had a few more facilities, we could have better success with our work. We have done well during the past eight months, and at present we have all whom we can accommodate. When we get more furniture, we shall be able to accommodate more patients. We have had more patronage than we expected; and we have a nice nurses' class of seven. This class is small, as we have not seen our way clear to call workers together while our facilities were meager.

We wish to thank you for your interest in us, and ask you to remember us at the throne of grace, that we may have the Holy Spirit to help us from day to day.

The following is a list of the medical staff and workers in the Graysville Sanitarium: M. M. Martinson, M. D., superintendent; S. C. Martinson, M. D., lady physician. The nurses are as follows: Carl Hewitt, Geo. J. Lovell, Ruth Seale, Vinnie Goodner, Amy Lea, Lucile Moore, Mabel Wood.

M. M. MARTINSON.