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Life in a Sanatorium.— In the report for 1904, reference was made to the intention of the
Governors of the Brompton Hospital to establish a country branch and sanatorium, at Frimley,
for the open-air treatment of consumption. The institution was formally opened by the Prince
of Wales in June, 1905. An account of the system of treatment practised, was given in the Times
of June 19th. The main features were said to be open air and sufficient food. The aim is to
educate patients into a condition of real bodily vigour and capacity for work; and they are
put through a graduated course of exercise adjusted to their physical condition. There is a strict
routine for the day, which is so ordered and enforced that the sanatorium is a "school of manners,
health, and industry, not less than a cure-place for consumption." The resident medical
officer attaches great importance to the disciplinary element, and the soundness of his method is
attested by the men—male patients, only, so far have been admitted At first they find it
strange, but they fall into it, and feeling the improvement in themselves, they get to like it.
They approve, alike, the place, the treatment, and the life. The lowest grade of exertion is walking
at a slow pace; this is followed by carrying baskets, then by active work on the grounds,
digging, planting, rolling, mowing, and making paths and roads. The hours are—get up and
bath at 7, breakfast at 8-15, work out-of-doors from 10 to 10-45, then a quarter of an hour for
lunch, and work again till 11.55. This is followed by an interval of absolute rest on beds till
12-45 ; then dinner, washing-up, and rest; work again from 2-50 to 4-15, tea at 4-45 ; after tea temperatures
are taken, then patients can go into the woods, write letters, or play games; supper
at 7-15; 8 to 8-30 reading room and concert hall; prayers, bed; lights out at 9 p.m. The men
remain at work in the open air for the allotted time regardless of weather; if it is wet they wear
goloshes, and change their clothes when they come in. The report goes on to say that "a good
many of the men were engaged in work involving considerable muscular exertion, but they performed
it with ease, and looked well and sturdy." It is found that the work interests them, and
draws their minds away from themselves. They make their own beds, lay the meals, and wash
up. The bill of fare is varied every day, and the food provided is excellent. A man can say
he has no appetite, or if too much is put on his plate he can bring the plate up; but what he
accepts he must finish. Most of the patients are quite young men, and in an early stage of consumption,
but there are also some convalescents who are recovering, after treatment in hospital,
from more severe forms of the disease. If one might express an opinion on this interesting experiment,
it would be that the "system" of treatment is not calculated to suit the temperament
of the generality of the "pauper" class; and if a conjecture might be permitted, it is that some,
at least, of the more intelligent of the patients, coming to like the life and the work, will find
it to their interest to pursue it for the remainder of their days, and go "back to the land."
NOTIFICATION OF CONSUMPTION, 1905.
Towards the close of 1901, the Council resolved, upon the recommendation of the Public
Health Committee, to make pulmonary phthisis (consumption) voluntarily notifiable by medical
practitioners as from the commencement of 1902; and, subsequently, with a view to the utilisation
of the information thus obtained, the Committee authorised n.e to employ the services of the lady
inspectors in an inquiry into the circumstances of the cases notified; and, generally, to give effect to
the recommendations of their Sub-Committee, whose report is printed in the Minutes of the Council's
proceedings for 13th November, 1901 (pages 19 and 20). The work thus inaugurated is still going
on, and in submitting the report of the lady inspectors for 1905, I desire to express my appreciation
of their services. I have only to add that to secure coherence to the inquiry, information is
obtained in each case notified under the subjoined headings.
Case or Phthisis.
Ward Sanitary District No. of Case
Date of notification. Probable source of infection.
Date of death, if case not notified. Number of rooms occupied.
Patient's name. Boom occupied by patient.
, age. How many sleep in patient's bedroom.
„ sex. Has, or had patient a separate bed.
„ occupation. Sauitary condition of habitation.
Present address and length of residence. Sanitary condition of room.
Previous residences— Light.
Ventilation.
Sputa, how treated.
Duration of illness. Disinfection done by on
Number in family. Cleansing done by on
Any other cases in family, now or formerly ? Remarks:—