Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-02-19
THE VERMONT SANATOR|uM
Patients to the Number of 1OS
Treated During Past Year.
Unfortunate That More Incipient Cases
of Tuberculosis DO Not Apply for
Admission--Report Shows De-
felt of $500.

report of the medical director showed that
during the past year 1OS were treated, IS
ware admitted and u were discharged,
the daily average being little over 49,
The number OF applications filed for ad-
mission was ITO and of this number about
is were not accepted on account OF their
unfayorable outlook OF those patients
admitted il was shown that l6 were In an
incipient or beginning stage, while So were
moderately advanced or in the second
stage and seven were far advanced 1t
"a to be regretted that in an institution of
this type so few incipient cases apply for
admission and 1t is to be hoped that the !
family physicians will watch their patients
most carefully and advise them to leave
home before they have completely broken
down. Statistics have shown over and
over that the carly case of tuberculosis
can be cured II put under treatment at
once. The local examiners of the sanato-
rum report that they do not see as many
early cases as they did a few years back
General statistics, however, show that
while the death rate from tuberculosis in
Vermont is decreasing yearly, there still
remain several thousand cases untreated,
and it is reasonable to suppose that many
Of these cases could be found In the first
stages.
A study of the weight tables shows that
a large number of patients, n in all, gain
ed an average of 1881 pounds each. 1t Is
also shown that about half of the patients
treated at the sanatorium last year were
between the ages of q and 80, Inclusive
This Is a striking fact, as It shows that
patients break down Just at the period
when they are entering upon their great
est usefulness. The occupation table
shows that the greatest number come un-
der the head of housewife" but as this
is a classification urder which most mar
ried women fall, there probably is some
other factor than this work which infiu-
ences their breakdown. Among the men,
granite and slate cutters head the list,
The residence table shows that the great
est number of patients come from the
county of Washington, while Rutland
Bennington, Windham and Chittenden
follow In the order named. Thus 1t will
be Sc m that the granite industry contri-
butes quite largely to the occupants of
the sanatorium. The average length of
stay of the cases discharged during 1919
was 1911 days, the longest residence being
three years and the shortest only four
DAYS Hereafter cases will be allowed tc
remain at the sanatorium for u months
only, it being felt that by this time they
are in position to take care Of them.
selves and protect their friends and fam
lilies when they return home.
One interesting feature Of the report Is
that concerning the appropriation made
recently by the Legislature. The Cover
nor Is empowered to designate indigen
tuberculosis persons at some instit ltior
for the treatment Of tuberculosis. The
Vermont sanatorium has taken % patient!
so DESIGNATED by HIS rxceilency. Before
admitting these patients. However. they
must 20 through the routine examination
by a local examiner Just as private cases
and no preference Is given to them. Thu
sanatorium has not found Il practicable Il
care for cases which promise no hope o
recovery, so that they have not neen ahl
to take care of all cases applying. It 4
to be regretted that there Is no Stat
hospital for these hopeless and chron
cases. At present there is absolutely n
place for them to go in case they hay
no homes.
The financial statement Of the institu
ton Is as follows:
Received during 1913 from patients
board..... ........... ...,.,..Sl3, I'LL
From income from endOWments.. 1904
From all other sources.... u.s.
s2o,6S1 :
Tho running expenses for the year 1871
are:
Provsons.....,.. ..,...... .......... S,Si5.
Salaries of Supt,, Med, Dir. ma
iron, nurses and wages Of en-
ployes. ....... ........ ....... S,295. :
Water, ce, electricity. laundry
Z and medical supplies, 2110.f
Fuel...... ........ ......... ....... 292S.t
Repairs, maintenance of build
ings and equipment, including
0 insurance ....... ........ ......... 1851
All other expenses. ...... 500. 1885,
so4OO1.l
Deficit for the year......... ,,.......S 33l9'