The Nordrach "Sanatorium at Flagstaff, Dunedin.

Manawatu Herald, 18 October 1904, Page 3

The Nordrach "Sanatorium at Flagstaff, Dunedin.

The following is contributed by a teller at the National Bank, Tapanni, who speaks from personal experience of the institution, having been under treatment there for a lung complaint for some time past. A more general knowledge of the work carried on by this Sanitorium cannot fail to he of use, and as our contributor remarks, “ When one has been himself much benefited it is a pleasure to help others.” The treatment at the institution is is based on the three-fold requisite of restoration to health—(i) fresh air, (2) rest, (3) nourishment. (1) Fresh air—The doors and win- ' dows of my bedroom are always open, even if hail or snow Comes in. The benefit of this arises from the fact that pure air is the great enemy of the tubercle bacillus, and while it is attacking these attackers it also gives increased vigour to the lungs and the increase of oxygen in the body irnproves health and strength and accordingly appetite. (2) Rest.—The illness increases the temperature. The worse the case the worse the temperature. So to allow the temperature to become lower the patient is kept in bed a sufficient time to allow it to decrease near to normal. Rest also allows IhO assimilation of food to proceed without interruption, and so the affected parts of the lungs . have much nourishmsnt thrown upon them, and this has great healing power. Rest also keeps the mind free from excitement and saves worry and consequently unnecessary waste. (3) Nourishment. Consumption means wasting and that wasting must' be met by fresh supplies of pure blood. As a general rule the patient eats wholesome and varied food slowly for about an hour three times a day. He has warm milk at 7 a.m. (breakfast being at 8) milk hot or cold at 10, again at 11, lunch at I, linseed tea or milk at . 4, dinner at 6, and milk again at 8 . p.im That is slightly modified according to circumstances. Thus some may < prefer or benefit more with eggs ‘ ‘ Instead of milk. It is obvious that this dietary with rest (even when up irom bed) of an hour before and after ' meals, should increase weight, and of course does do so, except in those sad cases where the patient is not sent to the institution till almost dying. As much as 11 or 13 pounds have been gained in a week, and though my weight was only a few pounds below normal when I came, I gained xr£ pounds in 15 days. The main objections to the treat- '• • ment are the expense, and the impression it gives people that one is a wretched consumptive ; and there are a few other objections which should not exist. As to expense it is obvious that one’s , own life or the life of a near relative is not to be measured by pecuniary •standards. The object of saving money is to provide for a rainy day, and when the rainy day comes one should be glad at however great a sacrifice to save the life on which he sets a high value. As to the impression given of one’s weakness, a man must not be so supine as to consider public opinion too much; and after all is not the fact of his being cured, a better statement of health than continuing to be murdered by the unseen enemy ? Consider, too what a position one is in, who, on being carefully sounded by a doctor, is found to be free of crepitation anywhere, still continues the treatment with gradually increased exercise (but not within an hour of meals) for about a month. Such a person, if he continues to live, as he has learnt at the Sanitorium, has reasonable prospect of seeing old age. There is one further aspect ot the treatment which I have not dealt with—exercise. Young men reading this’will be glad to know that as one improves this increases. Here there is a croquet lawn. That pastime and walking stated distances are the chief forms of exercise. I would say to those who have the slightest sign of consumption, or a tendency, to it after pleurisy, pneumonia, or influenza, etc,, “ Do not procrastinate, but get treatment at the ; Sanitorium.” In conclusion we must with thankful hearts acknowledge whence these blessings come and give the honour to Him who is above.