SATURDAY, JULY 27, 1901. HOMES FOR CONSUMPTIVES. THE CLAIMS OF NELSON.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXV, Issue 169, 27 July 1901, Page 2

SATURDAY, JULY 27, 1901. HOMES FOR CONSUMPTIVES. THE CLAIMS OF NELSON.

The Conference on Consumption now being held in London between the foremost scientists of the day is one of the greatest events of the young century. It also givos point $o the announcement made in Parliament a day or two ago that tho Government was establishing Homes for Consumptives in one or two places in New Zealand. In making a choice of locality, however, it is inexplicable why the claims of Nelson have been passed over in favour of Naseby. There is unimpeachable record that there are more days of sunshine in Nelson in tho course of the year than in most other iplaces in the colony while conditions generally favourable to the claims of the district, if not of the city to recognition are obvious. As a natural consequence a strong movement, initiated by Dr Hudson, to obtain consideration of Nelson's advantages as a site for a Home for Consumptives, has been begun Dr Hudson has been in correspondent with the Member for the City, anditis intended to hold a meeting shortly to put the matter in train. y

Of all the many methods of treating consumption, that which is known as the open-air method is the most modern and the best. Not that the idea itself is ww, tor it has been known for centuries that an outdoor Jife in the country was the best preventive of consumption But it is only of late years that the method has been carried oat in detail, and applied to caseß of advanced as well as to incip. ient disease. This open-air system must not be confounded with the practice

which has been in vogue for the last 20 years of sending seleoted cases of congumption to winter in the High Alps. Certain valleys in the Alps, as Davos Platz, and the Engadine, 6tc, have a most exceptional climate, and owing to the configurat ion of the mountains around during the winter Beason are almost windless, and, being above most of the clouds (over 5000 feet), have abundance ,of sunshine. Of course the cold is most I intense ; but as the patients have good houeeß and go out only during the sunshine, the results of this treatment have been very good. Its great drawback is that it is only suited for the winter season, all the patients having to leave in the spring. * # * Now, the open-air method is applicable all the year round, and over a wide extent of latitude. Its only requirements are pure air, a moderate altitude, if pos- j sible a good equable climate, and a suit- I ably constructed building. Ihe homes for consumptives were first started in Germany, the first institution of the kind being the one founded by Dr Brehmer at Goerbersdorf, in Sileßia, as early as 1554, ' and the most celebrated one iB that of Nordrach (it is often called the Nordrach treatment) in Baden Black Forest. This j is placed at an elevation of 15U0 feet, at j the blind end of a narrow valley, and is I well sheltered from all quarters but \ the south-west. The statistics of cases I at Nordrach are marvellously good. During the last two or three years, numbers of these sanatoria have (sprung up in all parts of the British Isles ; one at Craven on the coast of Norfolk, has attained quite a reputation ; here the elevation is less than 200 feet above the sea.

Anyone who considers the question will see that we have here in the neighbour of Nelson a climate that is eminently adapted for the purpose of homes for consumptives. We shall have no difficulty in selecting a broad open valley, open to the north, and sheltered more or les3 from the south, in which to build the sanatorium. Then we have abundant sunshine, practically no fogs, and, what is very important to a consumptive, few high winds. By having broad verandas and balconies built on both* sides of the building, north and south, patients will experience no discomfort in living outside the whole of the day, winter or summer, choosing the veranda on the lee side if it happens to be windy, living in the veranda during l,he winter to obtain the benefit of the sunshine, and retiring to the south one during the summer to escape the excessive heat.

Then consider the benefits to the inhabitants of this colony if the State has four or five institutions of this kind in different parts. Ist. There will be no need to send consumptives to the general hospitals, whieii will be a decided advantage to the rest of the patients. 2nd. Instead of sending consumptive patients to hotel 3 and boarding houses where they must necessarily be imperfectly treated, they can be sent to these institutions, where they will have the best chance possible. 3rd. If it were known in England that there were properly equipped sanatoria in New Zealand how many incipient cases would get the I double advantage of a long sea voyage j both ways, and a residence of some months in this climate in addition ? 4th. Numerous cases which are now treated in their own homes would have a much better chance if sent to one of the sanatoria. # # # Every circumstance considered, Nelson's claims for consideration as a site for a Home for Consumptives cannot be ignored in favour of other places in the colony without injustice being done both to" patients and to the district. The movement to secure recognition deserves support from all classes of the community and from persons of all shades of politics. It is trusted, therefore, that when those who are initiating the project are ready a public meeting of the citizens will be called, for it is beyond doubt that such a gathering would be largely and influentially attended, and that its representations would carry weight. It is not merely a question of local gain, but one of dislinct advantage to the whole colony and to the cause of health, and tbose who are endeavouring to have established in the district one of the institutions the Government intends to maintain deserve commendation. They will have the cooperation and sympathy of the entire community, and it is sincerely hoped that their efforts will be attended with success.