THE SKODSBORG SANATORIUM.
By W. B. Holden
It was my privilege, in company with Dr. A. B. Olsen, to spend the last week in July at the Skodsborg Sanatorium. Nature has most wonderfully endowed this place with all the necessities for an ideal location of a sanatorium. The sanatorium is situated on the main coast road leading north from Copenhagen, which is much traveled by the wealthiest and most influential people, not only of Denmark, but of many of the European royal families as they visit the king. This drive has the reputation of being one of the most beautiful seashore drives in the world. The government forest situated along the coast is one of the finest beech forests to be seen, containing twenty or twenty-five square miles, mostly of beech, but is also interspersed with different kinds of evergreens, etc. It has beautiful drives and walks, and affords a most delightful place for the patients to spend part of their time. The first remark we heard as we entered the sanatorium was, “We have no room for you.” This very emphatically impressed us with the prosperity of the Skodsborg Sanatorium. We were informed that since the middle of last January practically every room has been occupied or engaged. At present there are about eighty patients at the institution, and about twenty others are coming for treatment daily. Drs. Ottosen and Mortensen, with a force of willing, able workers, are exceedingly busy with their patients. The facilities in the sanatorium for treatment of disease are complete in every respect. Besides the usual appliances, they have a fine opportunity for sea baths, the beach being situated only a few yards from the buildings, and also arrangements for taking sun baths, which are very popular in Europe. The patients at the sanatorium are among the most influential of the Scandinavian countries, including senators, noblemen, wealthy business men, etc., and the institution is well supported by the medical profession of Copenhagen. Dr. Larsen, a physician employed by the government, is taking a special interest. Vegetarianism and the principles of the institution and not looked upon as fads, but as practical and sensible. The patronage of the institution during the past year has been steadily increasing. At present patients are obliged to wait until rooms are vacated before they can be accommodated. It is a question of only a short time when larger facilities must be provided to meet the demand. Dr. Ottosen and his associates already feel the necessity of immediate plans for larger buildings. At present there are three brick buildings, one large portable summer house of ten rooms, two temporary buildings used for dining rooms and gymnasium, and three tents, and they are proving inadequate. I shall long remember the stay at the Skodsborg Sanatorium as among the most pleasant and profitable of my life.