The Globe-republican., 1905-02-09


This institution at Battle Creek was
not built up in day-it took years
Of toll to reach the perfected state,
and the work has but begun-the great
work Is 10 come from rising genera
tions who are imbibing ideas from the
Battle Creek home, and what 1t stands
for.
For Three Decades.
For more than three decades the
present institution has been the
center of a wonderful educa,
tional, philanthroplc and reform
movement which has finally culmin-
ated in success undreamed Of a few
years ago, and in this connection
brief history is most opportune. In
February, 1902, the two main buildings
Of the Sanitarlum were destroyed by
fire. For a short time the days were
dark for those who had worked so
hard to build it up. But strong hearts
are not to be awed by misfortune,
and new building sprung from the
ashes upon the old site.
The dedication took place May 81,
and June /, 1908. An elaborate pro-
gram was carried out and many men
OF national reputation made speeches
and highly complimented the managers
and their co-workers on their good
work. Invitations were sent to all
patients, rich and poor, who had ever
been at the Sanitarium. Many re.
sponded in person, and hundreds sent
letters of regret.
One Of the prettiest sights in con.
nection with the whole event was the
procession of nurses and matrons
which formed on the college grounds,
opposite the new Sanitarium building,
and marched through the audience to
reserved seats at the right and left
Of the speakers stand. The matrons
in their usual cream white uniform.
the nurses in blue and white, and the
gentlemen nurses clad in new white
duck suits presented sight which
moved the audience to one simultan'
eous burst Of applause.
Sanitary Ideas.
As before stated there are many
sanitariums in the world, but none
just like that at Battle Creek, 1t being
the first of the kind, so far as known,
where an attempt has been made, and
crowned with success, to bring to-
gether in one place and under one
management all rational healing
agencies, giving special prominence
to those physiological or natural heal,
ing agents the scientific knowledge OF
which has been chiefly developed
within the last century, especially
hyprotherapy, electrotherapy, mas
sage, exercise, diet, sunlight, mental
and moral influences, rest, and gen
eral health culture.
Of course the first thing to be taken
into consideration was the construc.
ton Of the building to be occupied,
for much depended upon that But
after it had been discussed pro and
con plan entirely satisfactory was
adopted and the structure to-day plays
no small part in the healing process
that goes on from day to day at
Battle Creek.
A Return to Nature Movement.
The philosophy Of the Battle Creek
Sanitarium may be defined as the re-
turn.to-nature idea. The doctors teach
the use Of natural foods, natural life,
the use of natural agents in the treat
ment Of disease. A great amount OF
attention is given to dietetics. Fruits,
nuts and nut preparations, cereal foods
and easily digestible vegetables are
the basis for the delicious menus
which are daily served in the great
Saritarium dining room, at which sit
down hundreds of intelligent men and
women from all parts of the United
States and even from foreign coun.
tries. Milk, eggs and other dairy prod
ucts are also freely used. Great care
Is taken to provide the very best and
choicest of everything edible, of which
the physicians approve.
During the year which has just
closed a vast amount of these things
were required to provide for the army
of patients who visited the sanitarium,
for several thousand sufferers housed
there during the twelve months Of
1904. As to the expense for the past
year it was considerable, amounting to
, total of s927,1S9.99, divided as fol.
lows, Nut foods, 50 tons 26,70S.SO;