The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-01
CONSUMPTION is CURED.
Open-Air Sanitarium Established for
Benefit of Soldiers.
Philadelphia Record.

Philadelphia Record.
From Fort Bayard, New Mexico. hereto
fore one of the least known hooks in the
United States, there recently came the
startling announcement, vouched for by
officers and surgeons of the regular army
that a means had been found TO cure con-
sumption at any stage and without regard
to the age of the sufferer or his physical
condition.
The hospital or sanitarium for consump-
tives at Fort Bayard was established sew
eral years ago as one of the indirect re-
suits of the increase in the size OF the
American army. 1t is situated in one of
the most isolated sections of the Pacific
Southwest, remote from the beaten tracks
of travel, and until the recent announce
ment turned the eyes of the world on this
novel experimental station was undoubted-
ly one of the least known institutions un-
der the jurisdiction of Uncle Sam.
The colony" Of consumptives at Fort
Bayard is, however, quite a large one.
embracing several hundred officers and pri-
Yates, who have contracted the disease in
all parts of the world and under all sorts
of conditions The Fort Bayard Sanitarium
was established late in the year 1897 and
the administrative staff now consists of the
chief surgeon, three assistant surgeons,
ten female nurses, one hospital steward,
two acting stewards and twenty privateS
OF the hospital corps. IL was the intention
from the outset to make a thorough lnves-
LEGATION of the whole subject of consump-
ton with a view TO discovering a cure, if
such a thing were possible, and TO that
end the War Department not only detailed
10 Fort Bayard some Of the aDlest physi-
clans in the army service, but from the
first gave the surgeon in charge authority
TO exercise his own judgment absolutely in
all matters pertaining 10 the conduct of
the institution.
The system whereby such wonders have
been accomplished at Fort Bayard is SO
simple that it may readily be followed else
where. The most scrupulOus cleanliness is
the keynote. Not only is this policy enforced
ia all departments but the observance Of
the rule is required of all the patients at all
times. The kitchens, dining rooms and
dormitories are thoroughly scrubbed each
day. and to prevent infection and reinfec-
ton, no tableclOths or napkins are used in
the dining room. The tables are of plain
board. similar in some respects TO those
found in quick lunch establishments i'll
the large cities, and after each meal are
thoroughly cleansed with sal soda and boil
ing water. All the tableware is carried di-
rect from the dining room to baths Of boil
ing water, in which II is Immersed, this
operation being repeated. of course, after
each meal. The same policy is followed TO
the minutest detail Of life at the post, each
inmate of the sanitarium being supplied
with his own towels and bed linen. The
patients are cautioned expressly TO under
no circumstances use the towels or linen
allotted TO another patient allow any per-
son to use theirs, and close watch is kept
to see that this rule is rigidly observed.
One of the features of the plan of treat
ment for consumptives, which has been
evolved by the United States army ply
scians at Fort Bayard, is the stress laid
upon the Importance of providing
abundance of good, nutritious food for the
patients at all times. At breakfast the
inmates OF the New Mexican Sanitarium
have choice Of several cereals, eggs TO
order. potatoes. broiled beefsteak. ham.
chops, breakfast bacon, rolls. toast. wheat
bread. butter. coffee and milk. The bill
OF fare for dinner. which is served at noon.
includes among its items such dishes as
roast mutton and beef, vegetables In con-
siderable variety. fresh fruit. bread, butter
and milk At supper there are served cold
meats, meat stew, boiled and baked pota-
toes, meat stew, corn and wheat mullins.
bread and butter, coffee and tea. Ii viii
be observed that practically nothing is de-
MED 10 the consumptive patients
Naturally, the best medicines which can
be offered to the sufferers from consump-
ton. and TO secure which the sanitsrium