LEYSIN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20703, 29 April 1929, Page 5

LEYSIN.

HOMES OF HEALING. Written for the Otago Daily Times

By Mrs Malcolm Ross.

My first impressions of Leysin were mystically intense; —a night journey along a lovely lake in which the winter stars were reflected, and then a change into the tiniest of trains that toiled and snorted up mountain sides and through dark ravines. The crests of huge pines brushed the railroad track, the fragrance of the forest stoic 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 clinic—nestles in an upland valley. It was a bowl of darkness starred with light when first wo saw it, the brilliant fascades of the various clinics dominating the lesser buildings. When our train, with a grunt of satisfaction, drew up at the small station, wc found Dr Rollior’s niece waiting for us with the car. My friend who had come with me was her cousin, and it wa" because of this kinship, and, perhaps, also, because I had come so far and was keen to gather knowledge, that Dr Kollier had invited me to Leysin. Miss Rollier’s father had charge of one of the larger clinics. The doctor himself has had a wonderfur career. When quite a young man, he found his beautiful fiance 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 tonic air and sunshine that, after they were married, Dr jollier started a sanatorium in a small way. 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, live there in simple fashion. The great brain that evolved this home of healing has with it the kindest heart and the widest sympathies. Dr Rollier, as all his assistants and patients know, is an optimist, and hopes, and gives one hope, in the darkest circumstances. He is also the most modest of men. During the late war he was one of a commission appointed to inspect the German prison camps. It was said the.se were “doctored” for the occasion, white bread being set on the tables for the inspection, only to be taken away when the visit was over. Dr Rollier was presented to the Empress of Germany, who, hearing his name, eagerly inquired if he were related to the famous Dr Rollier, He replied simply, “ Yes.” In England, as elsewhere, he has had magnificent receptions, addressing enthusiastic audiences. We met him at breakfast the next morning. But, before that, after a dreamless sleep in the white bedroom alotted to me, I had stepped in my dressin"gowu. at dawn on to the little private balcony, and gazed rapturously on the nmgnificent panorama. The grim Diablerets and tne majestic mass of the Dent do Midi thrust rose-flushed peaks and domes into the pale sky. Their bases 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 balcony to mine came peals of childish laughter. • Busy man though he was, Dr Rollier spared ns a little of his time to tell-us his ideas. He attaches great importance to the skin, and on this Nature, with her tome air 'and sunshine, works marvellous cures. There is infinite difference between sunburn and suntan, and the piak-and-white beauty lacks something good that is possessed by her bronzed sister. 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, plans 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 Leysin, during December, January, and February, the sun shines with extraordinary, splendour, ami the skin, an orgaii of absorption, regains vitality when exposed touts rays. Even in patrients bed-ridden for months may' be seen sm’prising developments. Naturally, therefore, plaster that prevents the air and sunshine from .•caching the. diseased parts has no share in'Dr Roller's treatment. In some cases of disease, the pain ceases after the first exposure, and in eases of bladder and internal consumption it soon stops altogether. Operations that so often arc fatal arc not needed, and the disfigure meuts they frequently leave arc averted In order that patients need not return too soon to the debilitating air of tbs cities, Dr Rollier has established not only a working colony at Leysin, but an agricultural clinic at Cerguat, 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 arc not admitted to his clinics. These arc treated in other sanatoria. The childish laugh I heard at dawn was significant 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 wore smiles. 1 never saw an <Thappy or frac tious child. Maimed and helpless as many were, fixed in .awkward and constrained positions, they apjiearcd full of vitality and cheer, and gusts of laughter and merry chatter were to be heard every where. Dr Rollicr's wife, a swcct-faccd stately woman, was our pilot, and on our way wc met Suzanne, their charming little younger daughter. In the wards and on the balconies was the strangest medley of nationalities, ami one could hot help thinking that, apart from the healing of the childish bodies, this m r .y lead to a better understanding of nations, for German, Frcnc'i, 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 tittle wonder that happiness prevails, for the treatment stops pain so quickly, and some of these llttb ones have known suffering all their shori lives. One girl,, tortured for 1- years, was at case in two days, I was shown gruesome photographs of children on their arrival-—twisted, diseased, horrible travesties of infancy—and I saw the saint children with clean skins and straightened limbs rejoicirg in life and exercise. Ward after ward wc passed through. Most of the balconies were filled wi f h j cots, each with its little occupant. In 1 one ward a small American was the only patient, kept in because of a rise in temperature. But he was jolly, and, catch ( ing sight of the little terrier that is Madame Rollicr's shadow, inquired if he was “ a noo boy.” When 1 asked him how long he had been in hospital he said: “ Waal, ma'am, I guess it an’t easy to keep count here.” Another lonely boy —English, with charming bine eyes—sat in his cot. sorting ; stamps. ~He told mo gravely that they: didn’t take; much in-

tcrest in stamps there, but he was setting a ripping lot. Most of the children on the balconies were busy—with toys, needlework, or books. The elder girls, who have settled hours of study, were engrossed in making Christmas gifts for the dear ones at Home, and I was shown exquisite embroidery and stitchcry 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 Ruth. She was the only child of a rich diamond merchant —a negro married to a white woman—and was threatened with tuberculosis. Very demure and fascinating was the little maid, with her rica, dusky colouring and sparkling eyes. But the. nurse said she was naughty, and that she hated her bed, preferring to lie on the floorwrapped up in the carpet. . And when I turned at the top of the stairs to wave a good-bye to-the little imp, she was out of bed and peering at me round the door. We stopped nt a crib where sat up the veriest scrap of humanity—born of EngHst parents, the youngest of a large family. When brought there, a tiny baby, iie had scarcely life, and the doctor was uncertain whether he could sec 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 “Good-bye, Derek.” In one boys’ ward we were greeted by the welcome song of the Boy Scouts, all—and there were halt a dozen countries represented—singing in English. The leader was about 14, a bright faced boy lying flat on his back with a voice like a blackbird’s. Not long before General Baden-Powell had visited this clinic, and in the day-book had written: “Glad to see you all wear the best 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 20 boys doing strenuous exorcises. 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, oh 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 ski-ing back, to the valley. Not only all nations are represented but all classes, and Dr Rollier gives the same unremitting care to everyone. In one of the clinics was a little grand duchess. To Dr Rollier. 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 arc more luxurious and costly than others, but the treatment and medical care are exactly the same. Some years ago three Russians came to Leysin and interviewed Dr Rollier. They wanted him to take under his cafe a little invalid boy. There was considerable mystery about the matter. The ceremony and deference to be paid to the little lad were quite opposed to the doctor’s principles. It would bo necessary for the boy to have a guard and attendants always with him. This was impossible, and the envoys went away downcast. Had it been practicable for Dr Rolliet to undertake the charge the fate of Russia might have been different, for the boy was the Czarevitch. Dr Rollier had wonderful parents. His father was a pastor in a small town near Xeuchatcl, and both he and his wife were ' much loved and respected. Twenty-one years ago lie took up the cause of the Salvation Army, and, because of tins, 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 in 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 expected, and Dr Rollier has not disappointed the world.