For a number of years conditions have demanded a sanitarium in connection with the school at Huntsville, Ala. Recognizing this need, the school faculty asked Dr. Amy I. Bascom to connect with the school, and a nurses' class was organized. The building was not put up until the next fall, and a few months later the doctor died. My wife and I did not connect with the institution until April, 1910. At that time the main building was up, and most of the work done, but there were no treatment-rooms, no water system, and no heating-plant. We planned these right away, but by the time we got the material, it was the busy season in the field, and we could not secure help to do the work until it was too late to open at the beginning of winter, so we dropped that work, and went to work on our new dining-hall. We have now set the time for opening the sanitarium for the last of March, and are putting the finishing touches on the heating and water systems. The rooms are being finished and the floors oiled.
OAKWOOD SANITARIUM
The building is not large, having only seven rooms for patients on the second floor. The first floor has the parlor, the business and medical offices, the kitchen, the dining-room, and two rooms for those who look after the sick. The basement has one complete set of treatment-rooms, one bath-room for students, one room for the heating-plant, etc. The building is heated with hot water.
During the months of delay, we have received some money for furnishings; others have given furniture and supplies; so we are able to fit up a number of rooms, and shall be ready to receive patients as fast as they come.
It is our purpose to carry out, in this sanitarium for the colored people, the same principles that prevail in our institutions of like nature in other parts of the world. We shall be able to give these well-known treatments, and also to teach the principles of health reform here and wherever we come in touch with the people.
The school has graduated two classes of nurses, and has two more in training.
We shall be able to teach, not only the theoretical work, but also the practical, as we have the appliances usually found in our sanitariums, with the exception of the electric-light appliances. It is our plan to do aggressive work in the field the coming year.
We shall be pleased to hear from persons who are interested in sanitarium work; and if you have neighbors who are sick, kindly help us to get in touch with them. By so doing, you will help to fill the sanitarium.
