The Sentinel=record., 1913-12-19
PROPOSE CHANGES
 FOR HOT SPRINGS
EXPERTS BELIEVE HOT SPRINGS SHOULD BE THE NATIONS
 "WATER CURE" RESORT.
Laud the Movement Formerly Begun by Late Major Hallock For a Scien- tific Study of the Hot Water Prop critics.

| Modern Hospital a foremost au- thority in it's line, there appears a most interesting opinion of the Hot l Springs situation, which is given in full below, for the consideration and ! attention of the public of this city, the copy being furnished by Dr. w. V. Laws:
 "A concerted movement is being made to create a greater water cure center at Hot Springs, Arkansas something after the plan of the Euro pean baths. For many years the cur ative properties of the Hot Springs waters have been recognized. The government many years ago because the springs were being exploited by private parties, and money making syndicates, created a government re- serve about and including most of the springs, woods and hills. A few con- sessions have been let since that time, under circumstances that would seem to protect the public, and the gov ernment has built hospitals for it's army and navy men.
 The B'Nai Brith, great Jewish society, has sanitorium there, and the Masons have already purchased ground in the city proper for similar purposes.
 There are plans under considera- tion now by which the government is to be asked for other concessions. Moose, and others, being mention, are making preparations for an appeal to congress in this behalf.
 In the meanwhile, the American Medical Association, always foremost in the work that concerns the public health, has been trying to obtain the creation of a government commission, 10 study the waters of the hot springs chemically physiolosically and thera- peutically. This move was first made at Atlantic City year ago. Nothing | was accomplished except that the government scientists, stationed at Hot Springs, began such an inyestiga- i tion on their own initiative The matter was again presented at Min neapolis and under rather tragic con- ditions.
 One of the leaders of the move | ment was Dr. H. M Hallock, who | wrote this years report to the asso- | citation, and died just before the con vention. His report was discussed at | length in this section on therapeutics | and pharmacology and it was agreed | that pressure on the government | should be renewed.
 Without any doubt, this very nec- | essary work will have the active sup | port of the war, navy. and public | health departments, and eventually | the commission will be created and | the work done.
 Tn the meantime no irreyocable | concessions should be made that | would in the slightest degree inter- fere with the future plans for the homogeneous and harmonious develop | ment of the springs by the federal | government for the benefit of all the ! people.
 The destruction of large areas cf the city of Hot Springs by the fire few months ago. furnishes an excel | lent excuse for reopening the whole | question of the future of the springs, | and perhaps some radical changes may be introduced that will give back | to the public a magnificent health re- sort.
 Let us take a lesson from Germa- | ny, in regard to the control of our | curative waters. Baden Baden Neu- helm and Carlsbad have built up as water cures" under government reg ulatons and restrictions, and with | out taking into account the real val 1 ues of those waters, i'll the cure of diseases. they have brought to Ger many more visitors annually than all | the beauties of the Rhine, all the art | of the German galleries, and all the sciences of the famous German schools.
 There may not be very much posi- tive therapeutic virtue in hydrothera- pathy as a physical agent or physio- logically and we need not debate that question, but 1t is very certain that any great center, set apart, in which people can find an atmosphere, a reg imen, and restrictive living, will be of untold value, just as a man in a | penitentiary will get better of diabe- tes. and just as a patient with uncom- pensated heart will get better in an atmosphere and under a diet in a hospital.
 This country needs baths, and wa ter cures, and spring and hs our pro- cesses of living becomes more and | more violent every year, the need l must grow, but these retreats will Le | of real curative value in proportion | as they are properly controlled and 1 regulated The Wafarc of Coratoga |