The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1908-09-03
State sanatorium for tuberculosis.

The state sanatorium for the treat
ment of incipient cases Of tuberculosis
has now been in operation six months,
having been opened for the reception OF
patients since February 1, 1908. The
rapidity with which the beds are being
filled shows clearly the need of such an
institution. More than this, the num-
Der of applicants that have been re-
fused admittance as not coming under
the classification "incipient," points to
the vital Importance of establishing
hospitals for the care of advanced cases.
Up to the first of July los cases had
been received for treatment, while for
the same period of time over 200 were |
turned away.
The aim of the sanatorium is three
fold: First, it takes the uninstructed
| friends to whom he may unwittingly be
menace and place him in group of
people, afflicted in like manner, who
are being disciplined and taught the
fundamental principles of the "open-
air" treatment. Second, it gives the
poor tuberculosis patient the opportun-
ity of receiving proper care and treat
ment. Third, it aims to cure the pa
tent, thus giving back to the state a
life restored to it's working capacity.
The person suffering from tuberculosis
who is unaware that the disease has
fastened itself upon him, may be throw
ing from his lungs, quite unsuspecting-
ly, millions of "death-dealing" germs.
Ii he is fortunate enough to learn the
nature of his malady before it has be-
come advanced he has the opportunity
of retiring to the sanatorium with
reasonable hope of cure, thus sparing
himself years of suffering and invalid
ism, and better still, lessening the dan
ger of infection to those about him.
In this sojourn at the sanatorium he
learns facts concerning his disease, i'm
portant to him as an individual and as
one of community. Most deeply and
persistently impressed upon his mind
J are the now we'll known truths-that
: tuberculosis is caused by a specific
germ, and that it is transmitted by the
dried sputum, carried about in the dust,
of those afflicted with the disease. He
learns that in such an institution dan
> ger is reduced to minimum by the
burning of sputum in it's moist and
harmless state and sterilizing any and
everything suspected of containing
tuberculosis matter. OF almost equal
Importance with knowledge of the
; disease is the personal factor courage
in the struggle to overcome the disease.
The desire for the comforts of life and
Q all outside interests must be secondary
if he would effect a cure. 1t requires a
: "mind fixed on it's set purpose and I'M
faltering zeal to live out of doors night
d and day with the thermometer lowering
e about zero, to take milk and eggs in
: abundance, especially where there is a
: natural antipathy to them, and to rest
rest, rest! 1t would be much easier
more pleasant and convenient to take
( medicine and let it do the work.
The germ thrives and multiplies il
damp, Initiated air, hence the need fol
maximum Of pure. dry air, next the
40 nourishing food and the rest increase
D. the resistance in the body to the poi
sons thrown into the system. Ate
: six or eight months at the sanatoriuu
at with the disease apparently arrested
ID he returns home no longer menace
h h rather missionary bearing the gospe
lis of sunshine, fresh air and cleanliness
is and the blessed tidings of hope to tn
= consumptive.
s. With this institution now in operatio
+ chance of recovery is offered to tn
: poor consumptive. Formerly, eve
though the disease was discovered i
= it's early stage, no alternative was ope
T. to such an one. He worked until deaf
with bony finger beckoned him to re
pose. Where means are lacking the
" are not required, and is given ever
\ care and attention that will help hi
on the road to recovery.
The fact that this disease lays hol
of men and women in their prime, in
great majority of cases, just when tt
earning capacity is the greatest, NEAR
an immense financial loss to the stat
So that, from material point of vie
the sanatorium is an investment, who's
\ dividend may be represented by me
~ and women restored to wage earnir
NJ power.
M In conclusion then the State Sanato
N4 ium benefits the individual, the publ
" and the state itself, and time only
necessary to demonstrate the fact tn
81 it is an effective weapon in the crusa'
. against tuberculosis.