The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1910-09-16
sabillasville sanatorium.

The State tuberculosis Sanatorium on
south mountain has vastly improved in
appearance since il was dedicated to suf.
ferng humanity in May, 1909 At that
time the building had Just been opened,
and not all of the pavilions had heen built.
The rough mountain land which surround
ed them was still rough and bare of grass.
Now all is changed. Smooth green lawns
have taken the place of powders and
rough place The forest trees around are
just beginning to show the first tints of
autumn; beautiful fall flowers are in full
bloom, and the golden rod is everywhere.
The sanatorium is scene OF bustling
activity and life. The first impression the
visitor gets is one of cheerfulness, of hope,
of good fellowship and confidence. The
patients, the physicians and nurses feel
that they are gaining victory over the
most dreaded and potent of the ministers
of death.
Not one of these patients nor their fami.
lies and friends fail to give thanks to John
Walter Smith who conceived the great in
stitution and whose strong influence, back
ing great cause, got the appropriations
from the Legislature, engaged the best
talent of the medical profession in formu-
lating plans and so put MARYLAND first
among the States of the Union in this great
and humane work. This sanatorlum is
recognized as the model for similar State
hospitals. 1t is visited constantly by physi-
clans and committees from many States
which desire to pattern after it.
In the construction of this institution
no money was wasted, everything is of
the best. Situated on the side of the
mountain, the drainage is perfect and is
disposed of in the most scientific manner.
The water comes from remote spot in
the mountain forest, far from any human
habitation, and is absolutely pure. Every
needed appliance which science could
suggest is provided. There are at this
time more than 200 patients, 2Io being the
absolute limit. All of these cases. or
nearly all, are hopeful, and one patient
who has been here two weeks made the
remarkable gain in weight of I3 pounds
or nearly pound dav.
The cost of maintenance, including su-
pervision, attendance and all salaries, is
about s., 900 a month. or about $35 for
each patient Of this sum about s., 900
month is contributed by the patients and
the remainder by the State In one pavil-
ion, where there is kitchen, dining room
and a small private room for each patient
opening on the common porch, the charge
is $40 a week for each patient. This pa
vilion has places for 10 men and 10 women.
In the other pavilions the charge is S.. so
week for each patient. But those who
cannot pay are taken free of charge.
There are at this time about 70 free
patients. The cost ofkeeping the patients
is not kept low by economizing at the
table. The fare is wholesome and gener-
Gus. The fresh provisions come from the
fertile country at the foot fthe mountains.
The milk supply comes up from Thur
mont, Frederick county, and the neigh
boring farmers supply lamb, mutton, poul-
try, eggs and vegetables. The beef is
sent up from Baltimore.
DIR. Victor Cullen, the superintendent,
takes general charge. He finds light
duties advantageous to the patients who
are only slightly affected and he employees
them in various ways. They attend to
the chickens, of which there is flock of
1900, to the warren of GOO Belgian hares.
to the pigs and to many of the household
duties. They do this work cheerfully,
and the good doctor, will not permit them
to overtax their strength. They become
so attached to the place that in many in
stances it is difficult to get them to leave
when they have been cured. DR.. Cullen
is an expert physician in his speciality and
great administrator. He is at the head
OF everything. He has two assistant physi-
clans, three graduate nurses and dozen
student nurses who are being trained