COLOUR CURE TREATMENT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 165, 7 April 1919, Page 4

COLOUR CURE TREATMENT

INTERESTING EX.PEKI.MENT. Of late years many. experiments have been made in 'the treatment of diseasc--some of them very daring, and all most interesting. No field .-j-ns offered wider scope.for these than n«vc disease, with which also so many cf'our returned men are afflicted, state 3 : Ike - Sydney ■ "Red Cross Record." '".... ■A notable feature of the new Nervo Home, shortly to be opened at Russell Lea, Five Dock, Sydney, Now South Wales, is a ward, decorated in colours, especially selected for their value in helping tq restore shattered nerves. Miss Eadith • Walker has been instrumental in Introducing the "colour cure" into" this home, and has been <,ssistcd in carrying out the scheme by a .'.ountf Sydney artist, Mr. R. do'Mestre, who is making a special study of the therapeutic value of colour. This ward is similar to one which has recently been equipped in a London hospital, and is painted in colours, which would suggest a day in spring. The ceiling is of the blue, of a si.mmer sky,, and tin's note is repeated in the frieze in a lighter shade. The picture mil is of a delicate green, which leads-the eye gently on to the sunlit yellow of the walls. On the floor is a linolmm of same green as the picture rail,, slightly deeper in tone. The furniture and wood work are painted a pale primrose, and the bed covers are the same .colour, the bedsteads and other fittings being, aluminium colour. Tho- light can be icgulated by curtains and blinds. On dull days the light may filter through the open shutters of primrose-coloured curtains of deep violet. There is very little pattern in the room, except for a faint design on the bedspreads, and on the wall is a decorative landscape, painted especially for its surroundings by R; de Mestre. This venture is of a pioneer character as far ns colour treatment is concerned in Australia. Naturally everyone is most keenlv interested in watching, (lie result, and the matron of Russell Lea will observe very closoly the effect ou the patients of this new treatment. From n purely artistic point of view, tho effect is delightful. Those completely ignorant of therapeutics can. realise the soothing and calming value of this carefully thought-out harmony of colouring, and can understand the cheerful, yet restful effect such surroundings must have nnon a"tlppresepd 'or restless mind. Speaking of the Kemu-l'rn'Jsp.r -Ward, a similar room in London Hospital. Dr. Furber says:—"The Kemp-Prosser Ward has given considerable satisfaction," nnd that "the general contentment prevailing in tho ward is a most valuable factor in the treatment." The patients who are r.t present occupying the ,room at Russell. Lea say that already (hey think that they sleep better. This will be pleasant news to tho lady who is making this fascinating experiment, and of those personal interest and affection for the returned men this is another proof.