The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-12
LIFE IN A SANTTARIUM.
II HE proportion OF persons in dif-
ferent occupations who suffer
from the various ailments gen.
eraIly known nc "neryous dis

A'iNAN hpdNA'llN II III
from the various ailments gen.
orally known as nervous dis
eases has probably never been tabu-
lated. The classification would V
a great deal OF ground. ranging from
those who have been simply run down
from overwork or worry TO victims Of
paralysis or OF a v collapse.
Those suffering from annmia and diff
ferent mysterious diseases between
these two extremes in which the suf-
ferer seems to be afflicted with an
apparently hopeless malady, producing
such dependency as to sap the very
fountains of life, form probably the
largest proportion OF victims Of these
diseases. In most OF such cases those
who can afford II, finding thai their
ailments do not yield TO ordinary
methods Of treatment, go TO some
sanitaHum. In such an institution
the peaceful routine. mingled with
games OF tennis and croquet, enables
them IN time to forget their cares. and
IL their diseases are durable they get
well more quickly than they would
under their customary surroundings.
The writer some months ago was I'M
fortunate enough to be seized with an
attack of neuritls, which resulted in a
nervous collapse. BY the advice OF his
physician he went 10 a s~anitarium
not a hundred miles from the metro
politan district. This place is a type OF
the best institutions OF abe kind;
situated in the heart of "A country
famed for its beautiful scenery, with
a wealth Of trees in all directions and
glimpses OF mountains and lakes in
the distance.
The principal characteristics OF the
buildings and grounds were one OF re-
pose and a general homelike atmos-
phere. From the physicians down "a
the lowest paid employee. every one
connected with the place seemed 10
well out sympathy. The white capped
ONE nurses, some OF whom were
| N'NAli~ ''N u b'lASH III illplll'l IllS
the patients. The men nurses, of
whom there We're only a few
looked and acted as II their only mis-
sion on earth was to care for ner-
vous patients,
Most of the patients were either
run down from overwork and worry
or had different kinds Of diseases OF
the nervous system, resulting ir
some cases in aphasia; in other cases
amnesia had manifested itself.
Some OF the patients seemed &C
look on the sanitarium as their home
one old mar who was there for fouI
years and had had an eventful liz,
could talk charmingly on things thai
happened years & but could mo-
tell where he had been the day
before and at times forgot where
he was, although in other re
spects he was normal. Some OF th'
patients became normal in periods
ranging from n few weeks to sever
months and when they went awaS
cured there were general leave tax
ings, as If the recuperated patients
were leaving home for a new work
Of struggle and effort.
Among the women patients wer
several young girls, one or two o
whom had the saddest and most hope
less expressions on their countenanCe
1t has ever been my lot to see. TIL,
hair of one of these girls, who coul
not have been much over twenty, wa
turning gray at the temples. TIL
men patients included comparativel,
young men averaging from 80 to 3
years of age. Most OF them we're vic
tins of aphasia or amnesia In som
form. While | was there several re
covered and ven away. The create
number looked far from being Ill. Mos
of the men patients smoked heavil
and played tennis all day or o lon
walks or automobile rides, sat o.
the benches on the grounds in tn
evening and snapped stories unit
the mosquitoes. which found n breed
ing place in n pond a little distanc
off, drove them inside.
All the patients are supposed o re
tire for the night at = O'Clock. Break
fast Is served at s A, NJ, lunch at
L. NJ, and dinner at q l.. NJ. Thos
= who are too i'll to leave their room
4 or wish To dine by themselves hav
their meals brought TO their rooms O