The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1917-03-22
VT. SANATORIuM REPORT

VT, SANATORIUM REPORT
The ninth annual report of the YER
mont Sanatorium has been issued and
shows that 81 patients were admitted
during the year ending Dec. 81, 1916.
The total number of applicants was
l3i, as many as 2i cases being re-
jected on account of their unfavorable
condition. 1t has been the policy Of
the sanatorium TO admit only those
cases which offer some hope of per-
mancnt improvement.
In the tables showing the result of
treatment in 80 tubercular patients
who were discharged during the year,
they have been divided into classes ac-
cording to the length of residence into
periods of "less than / month" more
than | month, more than 3 months" T"
and "more than 6 months residence" ="
A careful study Of each division shows
the benefit 10 be derived from long
residence at the sanatorium and
should impress all with the advantage
of going into an institution while the
disease is in its early stages rather
than waiting until one is unfit for
work. Sixty-seven patients gained an
average of 1914 pounds each, whiie
four were stationary and 13 lost an
average of Az pounds each. Most of
the patients admitted have been be-
tween the ages Of Is and 80. Rutland
had the largest number Of patients,
t25 in all, while Chittenden had 13,
Windsor II, Addison 8, and Windham
county 8. The average number of
patients treated per day during the
year was 80. Of the 80 cases studied,
| it was found that 5S Of them gave a
family history Of tuberculosis, over
one half of these coming from fam
lilies where there were open or ulcer
ative cases in the household of the
patient during infancy or early child
hood. 1t is well to recall at this point
that the present teaching is that most
cases are infected in early childhood
and we should use every effort to i'm
press this fact upon all of our people.
The sanatorium has completed its
ninth year and a total of 9ll admis-
sions has been made since its opening.
Methods of treatment continue as in
previous years, the greatest reliance
being placed on rest. All patients are
kept in bed until they have normal
pulse and temperature. In the matter
of food, practically all patients take
three regular meals per day. Meat is
served only twice day and liberal
amount of fruits and salads is provid-
ed. Milk is served at each meal and a
large number Of the patients arc also
served with a glass of milk at 10 a.
M, 3 p. m, and s p. m. Coffee is
served for breakfast and tea or cocoa
for supper. We do not use raw eggs
rs a routine treatment Patients are
required to sleep out of doors at night
anu probably 20 out of the "a hours is
spent on the porohes.
During the past year "a patients
have been supported by the State of
Vermont, while two have been sup
ported by the Mary Minerva Ormsbee
Fund, and the Red Cross Society has
extended aid in the case of one
patient.
The physical condition Of the sana-
torium is good. The ground has been
kept up. During the year fumigat-
ing chamber has been constructed and
the dressing room of "The Shack" has
been enlarged so that it will now ac-
commodate eight people more COM
fortably than it formerly did, while
changes have been made in the West
cottage so that three more may be ac-
This brings the total ca
pacity Of the institution up to AZ. A
Kney- Schreerer X-Ray apparatus has
been added to the medical equipment /
and installed in the basement.
The total cost for maintenance Of
patients during 1916 was s27,279, {
which is a cost Of $3.50 per patient !
Der week. Last year the rate charged {
he patient was only $3.50, so that !
here has been a deficit Of $500 per {
patient per week. On March !, 1917, /
he rate was raised TO 500 per week /
n the hope Of reducing the annual de- c
icit. The deficit has been met from
he interest On securities left by I
ricnd Of the institution.
rF-- 1sor M';Er,. ~ Ctre-~. Yerrt... 4