Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1914-02-20
VERMONT SANATORIuM.

that during the year 108 were treated;
78 were admitted and 72 were dis
charged, the daily average being little
over 33. The number of applications
filed for admission was 10 and of this
number about 18 were not accepted on
of account their unfavorable outlook. Of
those patients admitted it was shown
that 16 were in an incipient or beginning
stage while So were moderately advanced
or in the second stage and were far ad-
vanced. 1t is to be regretted that in an
institution of this type so few incipient
cases apply for admission and it is to be
hoped that the family physician will
watch their patients most carefully and
advise them to leave home before they
have completely broken down. Stats
tics have shown over and over that the
early case of tuberculosis can be cured
if put under treatment at once. The
local examiners of the sanatorium re-
port that they do not see as many early
cases as they did few years back.
General statistics, however, show that
while the death rate from tuberculosis
in Vermont is decreasing yearly, that
there still remains 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 large number of patients, AZ in
ALL gained an average of 1921 pounds
each. 1t is also shown that about one
half the patients treated at the sana-
forum last year were between the ages
of q and 80 inclusive. This is striking
fact as it shows that patients break
down just at the period when they are
entering upon their greatest usefulness.
The occupation table shows that the
greatest number come under the head
of housewife" but as this is CLASH
ficatioa under which most married
women fall there probably is some
other factor than this work which in
fuences their breakdown. Among the
men, granite and slate cutters head the
|
greatest number of patients come from
the county of Washington, while Rut-
land, Bennington, Windham and Chit
tenden follow in the order named. Thus
it will be seen that the granite industry
contributes quite largely to the occu-
pants of the sanatorium. The average
length of stay of the cases discharged
during 1913 was 19l days, the longest
residence being three years and the
shortest only days. Hereafter, cases
will be allowed to remain at the sana-
forum for IL months only, it being felt
that by this time they are in a position
to take care of themselves and protect
their friends and families when they re-
turn home.
One interesting feature of the report
is that concerning the appropriation
made recently by the legislature. The
governor is empowered to designate in
digent tuberculous persons at some in
stitution for the treatment of tuber-
culosis. The Vermont sanatorium has
taken rs patients so designa ed by his
exellency. Before admitting these
patients, however, they must go through
the routine examination by a local ex-
aminer just as private cases, and nc
preference is given to them. The sana-
forum has not found it practicable to
care for cases which promise no hope OF
recovery SC that they have not been able
to take care of all cases applying.
1t is to be regretted that there is nc
State hospital for these hopeless anc
chronic cases. At present there is
absolutely no place for them to go ir
case they have no homes.
The financial statement of the in.
stitution is as follows:
We received during 1918 from
patients board $751; II
From income from endow-
ments 1904 Al
From all other sources 526 2;
$50, 6Sl 7!
The running expenses for the yea
1918 are:
Provisions, $s,S45 A;
: Salaries of superintendent,
medical director, ma
tron, nurses and wages
; of employees S,295 q
Water, ice, electricity, laun-
: dry and medical supplies, 2,ll0 g
Fuel. 1928 6.
Repairs, maintenance of build
ing and equipment, includ-
ing insurance, 1885 l.
: All other expenses, 936 o.
; S24, 00l a.
Deficit for the year, $3.50 G.
The deficit of SO, 319. GA has been mad
D up as usual by a friend. The State APP
s propria ton in no way effects the finan