LEYSIN.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19610, 4 May 1929, Page 4

LEYSIN.

HOMES OF HEALING. [By Mrs Malcolm Rom.] My first impressions of Lcysin were mystically intense —a night journey •long a lovely lake in which the winter stars were reflected, and then a ehange into the tiniest of trains that toiled and snorted up mountain sides and j through dark ravines. The crests of lu<ge pints brushed the railroad track, i the fragrance of the forest stole into the little carriage, and down below, in the depths, water chattered and rippled. We peered into apparently fathomless abysses, too curious to feel afraid, and we seemed to be travelling on the ridge of the world to some high heaven. In former times Leysin had to be reached by road —a weary and sorrowful journey for the invalid. The little village—for it is still nothing more apart from the great clinics —nestles in an upland valley. It was a bowl of darkness starred with light, when first we saw it, the brilliant faacadea of the various clinics dominating the lesser buildings. When our train, with a grunt of satisfaction, drew up at the small station, we found Dr. Eollier's niece waiting for us with the car. My friend, who had come with me, was her cousin, and it was because of this kinship, and, perhaps, also because I had come so far and was keen to gather knowledge, that Dr. Rollier had invited me to Leysin. Miss ltollier's father had charge of one of the larger clinics.

The doctor himself has had a wonderful career. When quite a young man, ho found lii.s beautiful fiancee was threatened with consumption. She came to this little upland valley for a cure, and the young doctor, to be near her, started practice there. The girl received such wonderful benefit from the tonia air and sunshine that, after they were married, Dr. Bollier started, in a small way, a sanatorium. The young pair set up housekeeping in a little house on the hillside, and, though he is now wealthy and has a world-wide reputation, they still, twenty-four years later, lire there in simple fashion. The great brain that evolved this home of healing has with it the kindest heart and the widest sympathies. Dr. Bollier, as all his assistants and patients know, ia an optimist, and hopes, and gives out hope, in the darkest circumstances. He is also the moat modest of men. During the late war he was one of a Commission appointed to inspect the German prison camps. It was said these were doctored for the oceaaion, white bread being set on the tables tor th«> inspection, only to be taken away when the visit was over. Dr. Rollier was presented to the German Empress, who, hearing his name, eagerly inquired if he were re* lated to the famous Dr. Rollier. He replied simply, "Yes." In England, as elsewhere, he has had magnificent receptions, addressing enthusiastic audiences.

Wo met him at breakfast nest morn- ! ing. But, before that, after a dre&m- ---| leas Bleep, in the white bedroom allot- ! tad to me, I had stepped in my dressing--1 grown at dawn on to the little private I balcony, and gazed rapturously on the magnificent panorama. The grim Dia- ; bleretg, and the majestic mass of the Dent de Midi, thrust rose-flushed poaks and domes into the pale sky. Their bacea were lost in purple mist. The pine forests were dusky green waiting for the sun to wake them into rich colour. The myriad windows and lines of balconies of the great clinics were turned to the sunrise. Prominent among these was a large yellow building, a university, where a patient can continue his studies, and so conserve his time while regaining his health. The little village, looking like a spilt box of toys, was already astir, early as it was, and from the next baleony to mine came peals of childish laughter. Busy man though he was, Dr. Rollier spared ua a little of his time to tell us his ideas. He attaches great importance to the skin—and on this Nature, with her tonic air and sunshine, works marvellous cures. There is infinite difference between sunburn and sun-tan, and the pink and white beauty lacks something good possessed by her bronzed Bister. Dr. Rollier is no believer in operations or plaster casings. The sun, in these high altitudes, free from the dust, moisture, and germs of the cities of the plains, works miracles on the bare skin, as I saw for myself. The physician calls the screen that veils the lower levels from the pure sunlight "atmospheric slime." In LeyBin, during December, January and February the sun shines with extraordinary splendour, and the skin—an organ of absorption—regains vitality when exposed to its rays. Even in patients bed-ridden for months, may be seen surprising developments. Naturally, therefore, plaster that prevents the air and sunshine reaching the diseased parts has no share in Dt. Bollier's treatment. In some cases of disease, the pain ceases after the first exposure, and in bladder and internal consumption it soon stops altogether. Operations that so often are fatal are not needed, and the disfigurements they frequently leave are averted. In order that patients need not return too soon to the debilitating air of the cities, Dr. Rollier has established not only a working colony at Leysin, but an agricultural clinic at Cergnat, where patients very gradually may revert to normal conditions. He claims not only cure of diseases by his methods but prevention. Cases of pulmonary tuberculosis are not admitted to his clinics These are treated in other sanatoria The childish laugh I heard at dawn was significent of my day, for, looking back on my visit, my keenest memory is the universal gaiety of the younger patients, for it was those that we were taken to see. Everywhere there were smiles. I never saw an unhappy or fractious child. Maimed and helpless as many were, fixed in awkward and constrained positions, they appeared full of vitality and cheer, and gusts of laughter and merry chatter were to be heard everywhere.

Dr. Rollior'g wife, a sweet-faeed stately woman, was our pilot, and on our way we met Suzanne, their eharming little younger daughter. In the wards and on the balconies was the strangest medley of nationalities, and one could not help thinking that, apart from the healing of the childish bodies, this may lead to a better understanding of Nations, for German, French, American, Rumanian, African, Turkish, and English, all chattered and laughed together. A little girl from Glasgow had no words but shy smiles for her neighbour, a small Turkish maiden, and a German lassie and a French girl were deeply engrossed in the same toy. It is little wonder that happiness prevails, for the treatment stops pain so quickly, and some of these little ones have known suffering all their short lives. One girl—tortured for fourteen years—was at ease in two days. I was shown gruesome pantographs of .children on their arri\...—twisted, diseased, horrible travesties of infancy—and I saw the same children with clean skins and straightened limbs rejoicing in life and exercise. Ward after ward we passed through. Most of the balconies were filled with cots, each with its tittle occupant. Jn one ward a small American was the only patient, "kept in because of a rise in temperature. But he was jolly, nevertheless, and, catching sight of the little terrier that is Madame Bollier's shadow

inquired if he waa "a noo boy." When I asked him how long he had been in hospital he said, "Waal, Ma'am, I guess it ain't easy to keep count here." Another lonely boy—English with charming blue eyes —sat in his cot sorting stamps. He told me gravely that they didn't take much interest in stamps there, but he was getting a ripping lot. J Most of the children on the balconies j were busy—with toys, needlework, or t books. The elder girls, who have settled ; hours of study, were engrossed in mak- ! ing Christmas gifts for the dear ones at Home, and I was shown exquisite ' embroideries and stitehery ready to be , sent off. The nurses teach the children to use their fingers deftly, and the little ones will go back to their homes richer, not only in health, but in accomplishments. The boys, too, were busy with many things—among other articles they made very artistic baskets. A great-eyed, curly-haired baby of six was introduced as Euth. She was the only child of a rich diamond merchant —a negro married to a white woman —and was threatened with tubercolosis. Very demure and fascinating was the little maid with her rich dusky colouring and sparkling eyes. But the nurse said she was naughty, and that she hated her bed, preferring to lie on the floor wrapped up in the carpet. And when I turned at the top of the stairs to wave a good-b3'e to the little imp, she was out of bed and peering at me round the door. We stopped at a crib where sat up the veriest scrap of humanity—born of English parents, the youngest of a large family. When brought there, a tiny baby, he had scarcely life, and the doctor was uncertain whether he could see or hear. But so rapid has been the improvement that I saw him demand a toy from the nurse in true masculine fashion, and he smiled widely when I said "Goodbve, Derek." In one boys' ward we were greeted bv the Welcome Song of the Boy Scouts, all —and there were half a dozen countries represented—singing in English. The leader was about fourteen, a bright faced boy lying flat on his back with a voice like a blackbird's. Not long before Baden Powell had visited this clinic, and in the daybook had written, "Clad to see you all wear the beat part of the uniform of a Boy Scout—a smile." In the late afternoon we climbed to a little upland clinic. There we found about twenty boys doing strenuous exercises. Some of these, when they came, had been cripples from birth, and others had been dreadfully deformed and diseased. I was shown smooth brown limbs once a mass of sores and twisted out of shape, and I saw children running about who, before they came to this miracle-maker, had never walked. The children, on skis, climb to their school on the mountain side, each dressed in one garment and a linen hat, and carrying a combination table and chair on his back—a very light and practical contrivance. Lessons over there is the glorious delight of skiing back to the valley. Not only all Nations are represented but all classes, and Dr. Bollier gives the same unremitting care to everyone. In one of the clinics was a little Grand Duchess. To Dr. Bollier she was just another patient—her state and rank set aside—and she had to conform to all the rules. Her suite occupied rooms outside the clinic. Of course some of the clinics are more luxurious and costly than others, but the treatment and medical care are exactly the same. Seme years ago three Russians came to Leysin and interviewed Dr. Bollier. They wanted him to take under his care a little invalid boy. There was considerable mystery about the matter. The ceremony and deference to be paid to t'te little lad were quite opposed to-the doctor's principles. It would be necessary for the boy to have a guard and attendants always with him.* This was impossible, and the envoys went away downeast. Had it been practicable for Dr. Bollier to undertake the charge the fate of Russia might have been different—for the boy was th»» Czarevitch. Dr. Rollier had wonderful parents. His father was a pastor in a small town near Neuchatel, and both he and his wife were much loved and respected. Twenty-one years ago he took up the cause of the Salvation Army, and, because of this, was the object of extraordinary- persecution, not only from the "people, but also from the authorities. His house was attacked, and he himself stoned and injured, and. finally, he was arrested and lost his charge—an unprecedented thing m Switzerland. Many years later when Bramwell Booth came to Neuchatel, he was met by the Mayor • and Town Council and entertained royally. But his champion of early days, who was treated like a criminal for his belief in the cause, was only a memory. Of the son of such an ardent, courageous father much might be expeeted, and Dr. Rollier has not disappointed the world.