CURE OF CONSUMPTION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10002, 24 March 1910, Page 3

CURE OF CONSUMPTION.

THE WAIKATO SANATORIUM. WORK JUSTIFIED BY RESULTS. Nestling in the lofty hills tome seven miles beyond Cambridge its triple colony of daintily-coloured shelters forming a picturesque setting in a latiyrinth of garden foliage and

native bush is the Stale sanatorium for the cure nf consumption the only institution of it 3 kind which has so far been established by the Government in New Zealand. Sanatoriuras in other parts of the Dominion are either conducted privately or are under hospital management. So successful has the work of the Cambridge institution been than in 37 per cent, of the cases treated since its establishment seven years ago the stealthy disease to which frail humanity Js only too subject has been completely arre3ted. Other patients although not entirely cured have been returned to their homes in various parts of New Zealand much benefited by the treatment, and with the valuable knowledge of how to combat the dread tubercle. Here lies the paramount purpose of the institution, as was emphasised by the Minister for Public Health, Mr Buddo", in speaking to a "New Zealand Herald" representative during the former's visit to the institution recently in company with the chief health officer Dr Valintine and the district health officer for Auckland Dr Makgill. "The object," said the Minister "ij to deal with the disease in its early stages, subjecting the patients to experimental treatment for terms of three months or thereabouts. Although it is not always possiole torefuse unsuitable cases, the patients must, as far as possible, be taken before they have reached the advanced stages of the disease. Satisfactory as the results have so far been, they are likely to be still better if the class at present being admitted is rigorously adhered to." A fortnight ago the accommodation was taxed to its full capacity of 60 patients, but ten of tne males were drafted on to a tree planting farm at Karere, Kotorua which is a new adjunct to the work of the sanatorium. . In naming the depot Karere (forerunner) the authorities doubtless had in mind a centrifugal scheme.

The sanatorium is located in one of the healthieat parts of a healthy district. Having a reserve of acres the institution is far from the madding crowd yet loneliness is a quite uhproiiounced element for apait from the cheerful comradeship which is said to prevai among the inmates the elevated position provides a pedestal from which to view a magnificent panorama of the closely-sett-led lands for miles around. On a clear day Mount Ruapehu and Mount Egroont are discernable on' the far fringes of vision and after the evening shades have mantled the landscape the twinkling lights of Cambridge stand out as faithful guardians if the night. THE SIMPLE UFE.

There are three separate clusters :f shelters—the Mason colony for female patients adjacent to the main sanatorium building; the Ward colony tn the opposite side of the roadway which passes thiough the grounds for Special male patitnts; and the Plunket colony some little distance fuither aJjng the road wherein a number of shelters are sat apart for patients admitted through charitable aid boards. This privilege is available to Board* throughout the Domini jn aniis being availed of to a satisfactory extent. By the effective planting of: shrubs the f>rraation of flivver gardens, lawns etc. the grounds immediately adjoining the main building and the Mason colony Jhave been transformed into a place of considerable beauty and the process is now being extended in the direction of the re/raining colonies. Sufficient vegetables for the U3e of the institution are grown and aD orchard is well on the way to profitable bearing.

Exposure to the cpen air and the leading of the simple life are prominent doctrines in the gospel of the treatment of consumption Various designs characterise the shelters but the most effective are some which were planned by Dr Makgill. "When I visited some of the sanatoriums abroad," remarked DrValintine. "I saw nothing to equal them. The tour winds of heaven are free to course through the structures day and nightSome contain only one bed others each have four. The -nseal houses are also partialy exposed. Cleanliness and neatness is every wiiere. a marked

feature and fresh air is served up in superabundance." AMONG THE INMATES. The vehicle that conveyed the Ministerial party over the scenic drive from Cambridge was also responsible tor the arrival of the mail, and this being one of the events of the day many were the inquiries that besieged tho jehu (a truly genial soul, familiarly addressed as Mick—nationality unstated). Some were rewarded, otners had to leave without despatches, but all were cheerful and more or less frolicsome Moat of the inmates are young in years, males being considerably in the majority. "This is the milk fiend,'" remarked Dr Vahntine. in pointing out a strapping young, fellow, not far from his majority, in the Ward colony. "Tell the Minister how much you get outside of each day," he continued, "About fourteen pints," came the unblushing reply. "Now tell him how much weight you have put on up, here," said the chief health officer. "Fifteen pounds in three weeks," was the gleeful answer. Another youth, who appeared to have quite recovered any lost health, was singled out from a score of inmates at their evennig meal in the Plunket j 'colony as the "egg expert" This lad told Mr Buddo that he had cornel from school to the institution, and was now well enough to leave. Ihe invariable reply to the Minister's inquiries as to how the patients were progressing was that each'had benefited greatly by the treatment, and, withal, hopefulness was writ large on their faces. As to diet, that consisted of fiab, eggs, light meats, and a variety ot other suitable foods, j PATIENTS AT PLAY. Croquet, quoits, target shooting, billiards (a miniature table) and in a somewhat crude form, bowls are the principal pastimes of the patients. At the Minister's suggestion, a bowling green will probably be made by the patients. Dr Valintine also intends that they shall assist in the conversion of a natural basin into a bathing place, abundance of ■> water, being available. Reading is naturally a favourite diversion, and patients with literary bent have on occasions produced brightly-written manuscript journals. Others ha*ve employed their handicraft in the manufacture of wayside seats, and with ( their sense' of humour have invested them with ' such inviting inscriptions as Tain ta, Malua, (an island word, with a somewhat similar meaning), Haeraemai, E Pai Ana, David, and Jonathan (two seats placed close together), etc. These form a feature of the sanatorium sights. A stile, decorated with carved serpents and an engraved dilation upon the "Mysteiy of. growth" is another. Some of the patients go walking, others occasionally go rabbit shooting. Sometimes an evening concert is held.

THE MINISTER'S IMPKESSIONS". of that portion of the sanatorium grounds winch are.being farmed,','said Mr fkiddo, at the conclusion of his visit, "I concluded'that the expenditure thereon has been fuJly justified. It is intended to utilise these lands at an early date, to provide as much of the" food necessaries of the institution as possible. The nursery work has not yet had time to develop. With regard to the buildings, it lias been decided, in accordance with Uv Valintine's centralisation scheme, to remove some of the shelters from the Flur.ket colony to the Mason colony, in order that most acute male cases may be brought into closer touch with the main building. This will minimise the work of the nursing staff. Some minor alterations have also been authorised, bat further than that the buildings show little need for extension or rearrangement. I intend that from now onward the male patients shall be given light work in graded form, so far as they are able to do it, so as \o fit them for the tresplanting camp."'

Asked about the establishment by the State of similar institutions in other parts of the Dominion, the Minister replied that such was not under contemplation at present.