FUTURE SANATORIUMS.

Evening Star, Issue 11452, 21 January 1901, Page 7

FUTURE SANATORIUMS.

." One thing that will come about soon," said Dr Mason, the Chief Medical Officer, to a representative of the ' Lyttelton Times,' " is a proper organisation with regard tp all these health resorts." The conversation had passed from the Hanmer Hot Springs, which had just been visited by Dr Mason, to modern irethoda of regaining or maintaining good health. " People on the Continent now go to Wiesbaden, Baden-Baden, and other places, not bo much oti account of the virtno of . the bath waters as of the mode of life they are compelled to adopt. They are counselled bv the medical officer to abstain from certain things and to take others. They are told what they must eat and what tbey must not eat. They are sent to bed at a certain time, and are told to rise at a certain time : and they are, in short, treated like children, their whole mode of life being regulated and controlled. I believe that cine-tenths of the cures that are affected at the 'Bads' are due to regular life and carefnl supervision by the medical officers. As a matter of faot these things have to be done in a methodical manner, as many people, by indiscriminate bathing, do themselves more harm than good." Dr MasdO went down to Professor Bickerton's residence, near Nsw Brighton, and inspected the paper houses. It had been sugr gestcd to him that when a start was made with the erecthn of sanatoria, Professor Bxkerton's idea w th regard to sanitary houses might be utilised, as the paper would be found to be cheaper than wood. Dr Mason was much interested in what he saw, but he thinks that the difference in the coat would hardly justify the erection of the less stable structure, though the idea might be utilised in connection with Separate rooms for invalids. These movable rooms are coming much into fashion at Home and on the Continent, where the opec-air treatment for consumptives and others i 3 in vogue. The rooms are erected on a kind of swivel, and may be opened at o.ce side. They are turned round to face the sun alt day, and the patient gets all the benefits of tie sun's rays without-being subjected to danger from draughts. This is one of the ideas we intend to adopt when we erect sanatoria in different parts of the Colony. We have not yet decided On any sites, but, no doubt the details will be considered in due time. Wo shall erect no great buildings, like general hospitals, but Shall, of couraej study the locality and the view. In fact, I intend to Buggest that each sanatorium should consist elf separate rooms, connected by telephone with a larger building, all being under the direct control of the officer in charge of the institution. We intend shortly to issue leaflets deal-

lug generally with- the' prevention arad euro of tuberculosis, pointing out what a person Bhould or should .not do. These will be HBued as soon as they have received the approval of the Minister of Health. I also hope to be able, to institute health lectures by prominent medical ;men in the chief centres. This has-llaen-diJDe Very successfully in Londoq, Liverpool, Manchester, aud other places, and there is no eison why it should not be suc--■3sful here. It is' proposed that such luestiofts as personal and- household physical; exercises-, drainage, .cd> suitable sites for hotiies, shoultf ne k-ttlfc with in a popular, and interesting iianner, the leetures beiDg illustrated by 'antcrn Blides. An endeavor will Denude to .•.Uaßlish a health committee in each large entre. I know that i.b will b« some time before all these schemes are carried out, 'nit they embody my ideas- atr present. la !.he meantime, there must be some arrangement for cases tSkt cannot be treated properly in. a. general hospital, sad; special: benpitala will have to be ertcted for chronio •ases."