THE SANATORIUM PETITION

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2810, 30 June 1916, Page 6

THE SANATORIUM PETITION

Sir, —ThA action of certain patients at the Cambridge Sanatorium lias' been the subject of comment' in the House. Tho Minister's explanation that such institutions cannot be conducted on the lines of general hospitals has also been widely published through this discussion. And tho inference that the action of- those protesting was ill-advised- will probably be accepted by many people in the Dominion. But in the House it was not told that this simmering discontent is no new development of the life in those shelters on the slopes of Mangakawa. It has existed for some years, ■ and is recognised by tho' Cambridge public as part of the tragedy of existence for these unfortunate people. ■That the conditions prevailing at general hospitals must be modified in these sanatoria is, alas, true, and that discipline must be the accessory of any scientific treatment cannot bo denied. But since these sufferers are. of any class,' and of uny degree of mentality, since the'very nature of their complaint makes them hopeful and light-uearted, surely there must be something wrong somewhere when this necessary discipline and its conditions a.ro burdened with a gloom that approaches despair. I have no brief for any particular patients. At this time I do not know any under treatment in Cambridge. It is only because the matter has already become public through tho reports of Parliament that I wish to bring a little more light into the viewpoint ef patients in this institution.—l am, etc.,' A. D. BRIGHT. Woodville.