Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-09-10
COMPLIMENTS
SENATOR SMITH
SanatOrium For COnsumptIves
At SabiIIisViIIe Conceived
By The Senator.

The Frederick City Evening Press
pays the following deserved compliment
to Hon. John Walter Smith and Hon.
Samuel X. Dennis, of Worcester Coun-
ty:
"A great transformation has taken
place in the appearance Of the State
tuberculosis Sanatorium at Sabillasville
since il was dedicated to suffering hui
manity in May. 1909. At that time the
buildings had just been opened. and not
all of the pavilions had been built. The
rough mountain land which surrounded
them was still rough and bare Of grass.
Now all is changed. Smooth green lawns
have taken the place of bouldcrs and
rough places. 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 every
where.
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 conf
dence. The patients. the physicians and
nurses feel that they are gaining vic
tory over the most dreaded and potent
of the ministers of death.
Appreciation Of Patients.
Not one Of these patients nor their
families and friends fail to give thanks
to John Walter Smith, who conceived
the great institution and whose strong
influence, backing great cause. got the
appropriation from the Legislature. en-
gagged the best talent of the medical
profession in formulating plans and so
put Maryland first among the states of
the Union in this great and humane
work. This sanatorium is recognized
as the model for similar state hospitals.
II is visited constantly by physicians and
committees from many states which de-
sire 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 man
ner. 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,
2l0 being the absolute limit. All of
these cases, or nearly all, are hopeful,
and one patient who has been there two
weeks made the remarkable gain in
weight of ~ pounds. or nearly a pound
a day.
Cost OF Maintenance.
The cost of maintenance. including
supervision. attendance and all salaries.
is about 81. 600 month. or about S35
for each patient OF this sum about
81, 900 month is contributed by the pa
tients and the remainder by the state.
In one pavilion. where there are kitch-
en-, dining room and small private
room for each patient opening on the
common porch. the charge is $40 week
for each patient. But those who can
not pay are taken free of charge. There
are at this time about 10 free patients.
The cost of keeping the patients is not
kept low by economizing at the table.
The fare is wholesome and generous.
The fresh provisions come from the fer
tile country at the foot of the mountains.
The milk supply comes up from Thur
mont. Frederick County, and the neigh
boring farmers supply lamb, mutton.
poultry. eggs and vegetables. The beef
is sent up from Baltimore.
DR.. Cullen in Charge.
DR.. Victor Cullen, the superintendent.
takes general charge. He finds light
duties advantageous to the patients who
are only slightly affected, and he en-
ploys them in various ways. They at
tend to the chickens. of which there is
a flock OF 1900. to the warren of 600
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 instances it is
difficult to get them to leave when they
have been cured. DIR. Cullen is an ex-
pert physician in his speciality and a
great administrator, lie is at the head
Of everything. He has two assistant
physicians, three graduate nurses and a
dozen student nurses. who are being
trained.
Money Well Spent.
Cooperating and working earnestly
with DIR. Cullen is Samuel X. Dennis.
the secretary and treasurer of the board
of trustees. Mr.. Dennis visits the san
atorium about once week or oftener.
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