SANATORIA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12404, 18 January 1901, Page 2

SANATORIA.

HOMES FOR CONSUMPTIVES. WHAT IS DONE IN EUROPE. VIEWS OF THE CHIEF. HEALTH OFFICER. SCHEMES FOR THE COLONY. PROFESSOR BICKEBTON'S SANITARY HOUSES. " One tiling that -will com© about soomi," said Dr Mason, the Chief Medical Officer, to a representative of this journal last evening, "is a proper organisation! with regard to all ( these health resorts." The • conversation had passed from the Hanmer Hot Springs, -which were visited by Dr Mason on Wednesday, to modern methods of regaining or maintaining good health. ' ,'•.-.■ ~..'. " People on, the Continent now go to Wiesbaden, Baden-Baden, and other-places,' not so much oli account of the virtue of the bathwaters as of the mode of life they are compelled to adopt. They are counselled by the medical officer to abstain, from certain things and to take others. They are told what they must eat and what they must not eat. They are sen* 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 nine-tenths of the cures that are affected at the ' Bads.' aire due to regular life and carej'ul supervision by the medical officers. As a matter of fact, these things have to. be done im a methodical manner, as many people, by indiscriminate bathing; do themselves more harm than good." Last evening Dr Mason went down to Professor Bicker-tom's residence, near New Brighton, and inspected the paper houses. It had been suggested to him that when a start was made with the erection ,of sanatoria, Professor Bickerton's idea with, regard to sami'tary houses might be utilised, aa the paper would be found to be cheaper Ithan wood. Dr (Mason was much interested in whlat he saw, but !he thinks that the difference dn the cost would hardly justify the erection of the less .stable structure, though the idea might be .utilised _ m connection with separate rooms for' invalids. "These movable rooms," continued Dr Mason, " are coming much into fashion at Home and on the Continent, where the dpem-air treatment for. consumptives and others is im vogue. The rooms are erected on a kind of swilyel, and may be opened at one side • They are turned round to face the sun all day, and the patient gets all the benefits, of the sun's rays without being subjected to danger Ifrom•'draughts. This is one of the ideas we intend ,to adopt when we erect sanatoria iim different. parts, of tie colony. We .have not jet decided on any siites, but no doubt the dletails will be considered in. . due time. We shall erect no great buildings, like general hospitals, but shall, of course, study .the-locality and the view. In fact, I (intend to suggest that each sanatorium should consist of separate rooms, connected by telephone with a 'larger building, all betog, under the - direct control of the lOfficer in' charge .of the institution. '• . "We' intend shortly to issue' leaflets dealing .generally with the prevention' and cure ,of tuberculosis, pointing out what a person should, or should not, do. These will be issued as soon,as they have received the approval of the Minister of Health." "I also hope to be able to institute health, lectures by prom'ineflt medical'mem. in the c'bieif centres.. This has been done very successfully in London, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester and' other .places, and there is no reason why it should not be successful here. It is proposed that such questions as personal and household hygiene, physical exercises, ' drainage, and suitable sites for houses, should be de'alt with in a popular and interesting manner, the lectures being illustrated! by . lantern elides. An endeavour will 'be made to establish a Health 'Committee ja each large centre! I hi:ow that it will be some time before aJ these schemes are carried out, but they embody my ideas at present. In the meantime, there must be some arrangement for cases that cannot be treated properly in. a general hospital, and! special hospitals will have to be erected for chronic cases."