New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-18
THE sANAToRIUM TREATMENT OF TUBER-

In the midst of the present widespread inter
est that has been aroused upon the subject or
sanatoria for tuberculous patients abroad 1t Is
well not to forget that we have at home an in
stituton which embodies the sanatorium idea
and has already accomplished results that speak
volumes in favor of this form of treatment
The Adrondacks Sanitarium at Saranac pre-
sents an interesting object lesson. The adj
vance sheets of It's annual report for the year
ending October 81, 1899, are before u.s. This is
the pioneer institution of this character in this
country, and DR.. E. l. Trudeau Is the moving
spirit that has watched over its inception and
growth. From this report we learn that during
the year there We're treated here 254 patients;
that of these 50 are still under treatment, thus
leaving 165 to be accounted for. OF these 165
patients As were discharged apparently cured,
A disease arrested, 80 improved and IS unim-
proved. In other words, more than Onehalf left
the institution to all intents and purposes cured
and about one third improved. 1t is important to
note that of these 100 patients 40 were willing or
able to remain only three months or less This
is considered too brief time to accomplish per-
manent results. OF the 120 long term patients
that is those who stayed an average eight
months-9O per cent were discharged cured or
with disease arrested
To one who has not followed this work from
year to year the result attained is truly start
ling To be sure, DR.. Trudeau has selected his
cases as far possible, and offered the treat
ment at the Saranac Santarium TO those only
who presented some hope of cure. He has not
been able to discriminate in all cases for
find that of the 1876 patients considered only
forty-slx entered in the incpent stage of the
disease, the remainder being classed adj
yanced or far advanced. The advocates of
State aid in the care of tuberculous patients are
at present divided into three factions, and the
probability is that, in the insstence of each fac
ton upon its pet scheme, the State Legislature
will agree upon none In the mean time there
is an urgent appeal made by the Saranac SAM
tarium for increased funds to meet the demand
upon its accommodations and to care for those
who do not properly come within the scope of
its work DR.. Trudeau says:
The increase of applicants has accumulated
great need in our work.. e., a reception hos
pital somewhere in Saranac Lake village for the
more advanced cases who cannot be taken at
the Sanitarium. During the entire year. but
especially during the summer months, scores OF
invalids in the last stages Of the disease come
to Saranac Lake village, either with scanty
purses wholly without funds full Of the new
hope which the prospect of admission to the in
stitutiOn has brought them only to meet the bit
ter disappointment of finding they cannot be
taken in because their cases beyond the
reach of treatment Too sick often to care for
themselves, without money and without friends,
their position is most pitiable and they seek
here often in vain, a place to await the inev-
table end. A separate hospital building that
would afford a shelter to these stranded and
helpless human beings would indeed be a fitting
complement to the work of restora ton attempted
at the Sanitarium, and I cannot but think that
in the near future the same generosity which
has made possible the growth and development
of our institution will furnish we'll a shelter
for those who are beyond the reach Of its treat