Albuquerque daily citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1895-1903, 1901-12-05
FORT STANTON sANirARlum.
Description Of the Government Tuber.
eulosis Hospital in this Territory.
tContributed.l


The dreaded disease Of consumption
is treated most successfully by the
government. and in n manner that
could we'll be copied by individuals.
The Citizens article on Fort Bayard
gave a gooi impression of the manner
in which u consumptive soldiers are
cared for there, and II calls forth n
comparison with another national san.
itarium situated In this territory.
namely. the Marine hospital at Fort
Stanton.
The Marine hospital service is not
technically a government institution.
although IL is under the management
OF the assistant treasurer of the Unit
ed States. II originated many years
ago from n fund raised by the sailors
on merchant ships, who contributed
n small sum out OF their monthly
wages. Later merchant ships were
taxed according to their tonnage. and
now the marine hospital fund has be-
come so large that many hospitals are
maintained throughout the country,
the one at Fort Stanton being exclu.
sively for consumptive sailors.
Fort Stanton is located about six
miles southeast OF Captain. n coal
hhlhlht 'iihp w IN 'ht odti dIltulo
mountains. II makes a most pictur-
esque little village In the fertile val
ley OF Borita creek, surrounded by
pine covered mountains. The fort APP
| pears to be self sufnoient and self sup
porting, anl its Inhabitants seem TO
care little what is TRANSPORTING In the
busy world. With It's own steam laun.
dry, light works, ice plant, butcher
chan naatlpna an1 uarlnnu oil nnAAe
one management II reminds one of a
communist settlement.
At present there are about one hun
dred patients at the fort. They are
cared for by half a dozen doctors and
about thirty attendants who perform
all the work in the different Industries.
Each patient is examined on entering
the fort and ar accurate clinical rec
ord OF his daily condition is kept. The
worst cases are sent to the hospital,
the more healthy men being assigned
to neat rooms in the different wards.
Those who r able to leave their
rooms go TO their meals three times a
day and are given n milk and cracker
lunch late f. the morning. The food
furnished Is all that could be desired.
consisting tf good meats, eggs, butter.
| iilihs pl'his NthtNhbltS dhu utHtIiSs
In the sick wards nurses and doctors
are in constant attendance. All the
accommodations OF the fort. including
board, room, laundrying, medicine and
attendance, are furnished free to the
patients.
The officers require the patients to
be clean, temperate and regular In
their habits. They are admonished 10
/ lnan In thn anan dir avargfaA anI ant
as heartily as possible. The fort Is
kept neat and clean. no one being al
lowed to ey%pectorate except In a spit
cup. Every precaution against rein.
occulation of the dangerous bacilli are
taken in the handling Of dinner dishes,
table linen and clothing. Intoxioants
are not allowed in the reservation
The patients are supplied with out
door games. which help to pass the
time and furnish light exercise. A
library Is also provided for their use.
Thus, the Marine hospital affords
a most perfect home for the afflicted
sailors. where every want is supplied
without piite: but still many Of the
patients are dissatisfied with the mon,
otony OF their existence and long Ia
be once again in the busy world OF
commerce. Some become strong
enough TO accept positions in the fort
or to seek employment elsewhere,
After long absences these men are
sometimes taken back again and once
more restored to health.
Fort Stanton also affords a com
Portable hcme TO a large force of con
sumptive workmen, who desire occu'
patton in a high altitude. Temperate
young men who are strong enough e
work a tasily obtain a position there
as walters. assistant nurses, garden
ers, mechanics or In other occupations
to which their training has fitted them
The wages paid vary from n to two
dollars a day and expenses. Surgeon
]. NJ. Darlington is now in command
| of Fort Stanton