Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-04-11

InCrSdSeu anu developed.
When the gifts of Mrs. Chase made
it possible for us to own the land up
on which the temporary camp was
situated, and with the building of a
permanent structure the work began
to assume the proportions of real
sanatorium, and under the efficient
management of DR.. Downs the insti-
tuition was doing splendid work at
the time of the fire, July IA, 1913, which
destroyed the building.
We then had IS patients, and nearly
every one of them was making some
progress towards recovery.
After the fire or at the time of the
fire the association undertook to do
what now appears to have been an
exceedingly difficult task, namely, the
carrying on of the work and the treat
ment of patients with neither build
ings or apparatus. We secured tents
from the adjutant generals office at
Augusta and built temporary build
ing as kitchen and dining room. With
these improvised quarters we cared
for the patients during the summer
and in spite of the inconvenience the
patients made good progress in nearly
every instance.
The directors decided to proceed
with the construction of larger
building as the request for admission
to the one burned had made it evident
that larger quarters would very soon
be needed With the funds which we
received from the insurance we pro-
ceeded as far as possible with the con-
struction of the new building when
an addition gift of $4,000 from Mrs.
Chase made it possible for us to fin
ish the building although this left the
association with a debt of $1,000.
The patients moved into the new
building late in the fall Of 1918 and
the work was carried through the
winter under great disadvantage, as
the building has only lately been COM
pleted: and much more needs to be
done to bring the institution up to its
highest point of efficiency and to en-
able us to take care of the full num-
Der of patients the building is intend
ed to accommodate.
We are now caring for IS patients
at weekly expense per patient of
from S11 TO So. About ene-half of this
is borne by the patient and the rest
must be taken care of by private con-
tributions, or from the appropriations
granted by the State to take care of
part of the cost for maintenance.
The ladies of Waterville and Fair
field have formed an Auxiliary to as
sist in the work and have contributed
several hundred dollars towards fur
nishing the sanatorium.
The kitchen and dining room now
used are in a temporary wooden struc-
ture which is fairly comfortable in
summer. but far from comfortable in
winter.
The institution now is in excellent
working condition. The patients are in
good spirits and in nearly every case
are making good progress towards re-
coyery. Many patients who have been
discharged from the institution since
its beginning are in good health. sew
eral of the children attending school
and several of the adults carrying on
regular vacations.
I believe that the institution mas
before it a future of great usefulness
in its effort to furnish treatment Tor
the cure of tuberculosis at cost that
can make it possible for all to avail
themselves of its services. OF course
that cannot be done at present.
The people of Maine will always be
under a deep debt of gratitude to Dr.
A. A. Downs for his interest in start
ing and carrying forward the work,
and in the organization and work or
the state Association for the Proven
tion and Control of tuberculosis.
After the death of DR.. Downes, Dr.
A. U. Desjardins was elected as
successor and has been doing splendid
sor,,;oa not only as medical director at
the sanatorium and at the dispensary
~ waterville but also in helping to
carry forward the general work OF the
association.
Jrnon the removal of the business
manager. Rev c. F. Stimson or TINS
citv Rev. L. l.. Lewis was elected as
his successor. Mr.. Lewis mas given
a great deal of time and attention to
the business matters pertaining to the
association.
The chairman of the building COM
mittee of the sanatorium, Ralpn Jew
ell of Fairfield, is entitled to much
credit for the way in which ne mas
attended to the arduous task.
It is natural that the carrying on
If yorl, like this, under difficulties the
association has labored under during
the year past, would subject its oin-
GERS and management to some criu-
eism.
There have been complaints or va
rious kinds, all Of which have been
carefully investigated by the presi-
dent or members of the board or d.
rectors. Some of these complaints
arouse from the impossibility of CIV
ing the patients as much personal at
tention, as carefully prepared food, as
much attention to entertainment, ana
various other things as could have
been wished during the period OF camp
life and of constr uction. We were
bothered for a considerable time by
lack of sufficient water, and while
there seems to be enough for present
demands we cannot increase the num-
Der of patients until a larger water
supply is secured. This can easily be
had from a spring situated not far
from the sanatorium, but which would
involve an expense of about $500,
which we do not have that can be
used for that purpose, and we hope
that some person will make dona-