SANATCRIUMS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10518, 14 December 1901, Page 3

SANATCRIUMS.

TO THX KSITOB. Sir, — Your sub-leader of December 12 ha* given me the opportunity Qf,-,writ-ing- upon a subject I am deeply"inter- " e«fied in — vis., the urgent necessity of the Government taking up the matter and trying to stamp out the dreaded . disease of consumption, by giving the people of the colony the means of having their relatives so infected properly treated. 1 heard it rumoured lately that the Government were thinking of building sanatoriuma in both islands, North and South. I sincerely hope that it will prove to be more than a rumour, and that every newspaper in the colony will urge the immediate - building of the same. "Now is the day ' of salvation: now is the appointed ' time," for hundreds of people, young . and middle-aged, are suffering more or - leas, and if treated in time would have { • chance of being cured; but where .Me they to go? There is, as far as I know, only one little sanatorium "for open-air treatment — viz., the "Nordrach Cottage," Flagstaff, Dunedin, started by a private doctor, which only accommodates ten people and is always full, and people waiting a chance to be taken in. Doesn't ' this show how necessary it is to have a proper up-to-date institution for the -—benefit of all those sufferers who need -"help and treatment, rich and poor l"-alike? Those who are not able to afford .. to pay anything should have a chance ..of saving their lives by being admitted ■■^free of charge. The charge in any case 7"^Bould not be excessive, as the cure, in S-. tome cases, takes many months, and' even to people of' moderate means the' - expense would be considerable. , The , little cottage sanatorium I speak of has turned out some marvellous cures, and it has only been in 'existence for the last two years and a half. All honour to the doctor (Dr Stepkensbn) who had the courage, in the face of many difficulties, to »tart it. You, Mr Editor, who have done »o much good in the public interest already by urging necessary reforms from time to time by means of your valuable paper, have it now in your power to still further benefit the public by taking the matter up, trusting 1 you will do so, I am, etc., PRO BONO PUBLICO.