Willmar tribune., 1909-03-03
THE WOODMAN
SANATORlUIVI

men society it was decided to con-
duct that society's sanatorium, To-
Gated at Colorado Springs, Colo,
for the treatment OF members
afflicted with tuberculosis, free of
all charge to members.
The Modern Woodmen society
several months ago acquired i $50
acres of land within seven miles Of
Colorado Springs, and has since es-
tablished thereon an up-to-date
sanatorium, the tent colony plan be-
ing employed. The first colony was
opened for the reception Of patients
on Jan. /, 1909. 1t is equipped to
care for 50 patients, to which num-
Der admissions will be limited for
the present.
The tents are octagonal struc-
lures, with shingle roofs, canvas
sides, hardwood floors on solid ce-
ment foundations, heated by a cen
trail plant, equipped with all mod
ern conveniences, such as tele-
phones, etc.. and each tent will ac-
commodate one patient. An ad-
ministration building for physi-
clans, nurses, dining hall, baths Of
all kinds, etc., stands in the center
of the colony.
Dr.. J. E. White, formerly Of the
Nordrach ranch sanatorium, the
medical director in charge, states
that only those consumptive men,
bers who arc durable, or whose lives
may be prolonged for a consider
able length Of time. will be admit
ted as patients. The wisdom Of
this rule is apparent. Rigid medi-
cal examination as a condition pre-
cedent to admission will be insisted
upon in every case. and special
blank forms have been prepared for
this purpose.
A movement is already under
way to equip the second colony
plant of 60 tents. Each tent Or
tent house, completely equipped.
represents an expense Of $3.50, and
a number of local Camps Or lodges
of the society have decided to do
nate tents. AS there are over
$4,000 local Camps Of Modern
Woodn.en, and over 100000 men,
bers, it is anticipated that several
colonies will soon be equipped in
this way.
The members and local Camps of
the society have voluntarily contrib
uted to the sanatorium fund ovey
$40, 900, and at the last national
convention a permanent tax OF ten
cents per member per year was vo-
ted to the support Of this work.
The last official Woodmen reports
show that during the years 1891
1907, inclusive, l4.5 per cent of the
mortality, or 5,156 deaths, were
charged to tuberculosis, and thai
1879 per cent Of the total insurance
losses in those years, or 50, ,O65 COO,
resulted from this cause. AS the
mortality experiences of the Wood
men Society has been unusually IA
vorable, being but 70 per cent Of
the expected at all ages under the
National Fraternal congress table,
a death rate Of but 6.29 per 1,00O-
or but 4 9S per 1000 if the expert
ence of the first five Membership
years be included-the heavier in
surances losses inflicted upon other
societies experiencing a higher NOR
tality may be conservatively ap-
proximated.
If the Woodmen Society, with it's
exceptionally favorable, mortality,
finds it to be "good business'' to
fight consumption in this way, why
should not other fraternal societies,
life insurance companies, labor Or
ganizations, che national and inter-
national church bodies., ETC., find
it profitable, from the viewpoint Of
business or benevolence, Or both, to
take such action?
Each life saved to the Woodmen
society, by means Of this sanatori-
um, will. it is stated, represent a
saving of 81, ,700-the average
amount Of the Woodmen policies in
force-at an expense for treatment
Of approximately one-twentieth of
that sum. In the broader sense,
each life saved means the preserva-
tion to the family of it's head and
bread-winner4 and to the state of
useful, self-sustaining citizen.
Mr.. and Mrs. Ed Lewis are ex-