The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-15
MODISH FOLKS IN RETREAT.
A SANITIRIUM TO WHICH ONE
GOES IN SECRET.
deduction what Some OF the Patients want
Plain Rest Sought by Others-More
Fashion Than Hospital About the
Establishment-ItS Air OF Mystery.

the New OTker VINO cdn 40 30 makes MS
escape from town 70 avoid the worst part
OF the winter. Plenty of business men
and women whose duties hold them rather
closely to their desks prefer to take their
vacations at this season also. declaring
that New York Is never 80 unpleasant in
the heat OF summer as 1t IL during the first
three months OF the year
While the winter resorts In the South
and elsewhere take most Of them. not few
Of these migrating New Workers. go to
sanitariums. This contingent includes
many semi-invalids who require doctor
ing and rest and who want to avoid as far as
possible the mild gayeties Of the winter
resort and to dress in the simplest style.
Sanitariums in America have changed
their character in the last dozen years
or so just as they have increased In num-
Der. They arc no longer hospitals, re-
sorted 10 only in case OF necessity
Wealthy and fashionable people whose
health has been affected by the social
demands on them ara the most numerous
patrons, and the proprietors Of sanitariums
have sought TO make their establishments
az luxurious as possible in order to secure
the best class of patients. One sanitarium
who keep late hours and eat big dinners
that It is veritable fashion resort.
Women make up parties TO go and spend
a few weeks there when they are tired out.
They take along their maids and boxes Of
clothes for they know that they are sure TO
meet men and women belonging TO their
own special set. and they will not lag behind
in the matter OF dress even though they are
compelled to keep early hours and cut their
evenings very short after dinner.
There IL no hotel register in the fashion
able sanitarium. for many of the guests
prefer that their presence there should not
be generally known. This semi-secrecy
avoids the necessity of explanation and
saves troublesome con dependence with
sympathizing friends in town.
The most common complaints are In
digestion and stomach troubles, caused by
too much eating and drinking at irregular
times. and nerve troubles OF slight nature,
resulting from late hours, for patients with
serious Affections are not encouraged TO
come to this resort OF smart invalidism.
The would-be patient OF parties of friends
who may plan a stay there must arrange
in advance for their accommodation. In
deed the patronage OF unknown persons,
unintroduced by some one who is already q
patron. ia not sought Plans are made for
the visit as though It We're TO be pleasure
trip. and so 1t proves 70 be as general thing,
for the idea Is al least new one.
The very pretty gowns allowed to moder-
ate invalidism are purchased when the
patient IL a woman, cushions and rugs OF
becoming patterns are taken along, novels
and music are put In the trunk and then
the nerve-ridden one says adieu 10 the
fashionable restaurant and the afternoon
tea.
Dieting IL one OF the features OF this
sanitarium and OF late some rema rkable
obesity cures have been reported from
there. As obesity is now an III from which
many New York women suffer. the fame
Of these cures has spread, and this year
more than a dozen remarkably healthy
women are among the guests AT he re-
treat.
six weeks OF rigid dieting ia said to effect
wonderful reductions, and as a physician
personally superintends each case tho
patient need dread none Of the results
which sometimes follow dieting overdone
or wrongly done, it usually Is when at
tempted without supervision
The dieting consists principally Of the
milk cure. which isnow prescribed in many
different complaints of the stomach. The
usual foods Of the fashionable women are
completely cut on the bill OF fare. Sweets
of rich nature, alcoholic bevera ges. French
cooking, shellhsh and meats of various
sorts that are not healthful in certain cases
ore forbidden. Early hours are the rule.
There is exercise TO be had in the sun par
lor well ventilated for those who do not
wish TO face the outside air, but the usual
invalid Of this kind wishes as far as possible
70 live outdoors SO seghing in the sea-
son is popular, and riding and driving ara
"A part Of the days work, especially with
those who arc working to get rid
Of weight. There il gymnasium, with
d swimming pool
The servants are nearly al under the
supervision Of trained nurses, and as the
servant question sends many OF the fair
invalids 10 the sanitarum this source
Of trouble is guarded against with special
care In fact, from the time ti,e patient
is carefully tucked in rugs in the station
wagon life is made remarkably pleasant
and luxurious TO n degree. in spite of the
many usual comforts that are dispensed
with
The man about town condemned 20 break
fast on fruit and oatmeal and forbidden 70
enjoy cocktails. steak, vegetables, wines
and cigars. finds that he is served on the
finest linen, silver and cut glass, although
his fare Ia meagre. His bedroom or suite
Is perfectly cared for and kept at just the
proper degree of temperature. His bed
is the very perfection Of comfort.
Although he is carefully looked after by
a doctor, tho atmosphere of illness Is not
allowed to assert itself The guests gather
around a splendid log fire before dinner,
and the scene at this hour resembles more
aprivate country house than sanitarium.
Evening dress Ia the rule, and while the
women do not, as general thing. go in for
anything remarkable in the way OF dress.
there are some who astound others with the
display Of jewels and imported frocks.
The obesity patients are weighed each
morning and evening steadily and see them
selves decreasing in pounds. To person
suffering from dread OF on increase in size
the JOY Of this experience Is something too
keen for words.
Az the end Of six or eight weeks the pa
tent is ready to take UP the round of en-
gagements again In fact. she has grown
tired OF the enforced rest and Is anxious