Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-10-08
DIR. Shaw Talks of
Sanitorium at Lions
Club Meeting

Or. John +. Shaw, superinte ndent Of
the central Maine Sanatorium at Fair
nelo, was the speaker last evening be-
lore tho Watcrville Lions Club and he
SPOKE entertafningly and instructiyely
OF work at the sanatorium. The meet
ing was held In the small dining room
at the Elmwood with supper at s
o'clock.
pr. Shaw told of the start of the
work at Fairfield and how the State bel
came interested in the work there in
1919 and purchased the plant for $30.-
900. Then in 1917 another building
was constructed that had 90 beds. and
In 1919 children's room with 35 beds
was CONSTRUCTED. 1t became necessary
TO have dining room and this was
consTucted as an addition to the Chase
nome money being used that was ap-
propfiated for renovating the home. In
the meantime the State also took over
the HEBRON Sanatoriunn and built one
at Prcsquc Isle. so that now there are
about 400 sanatorium beds In Maine.
Figures obtained in wartime showed
| that one sanatorium bed was needed
for every 2000 people, and placing the
population Of Maine at 80, 900. Maine
now has little better than one bed for
every 1000. and as there are vacant
the wartime figures were about correct.
| The speaker declared that there would
not be any new buildings for a while.
at least. and every effort would be made
to improve the plants that are now
run by the State.
| DR.. Shaw declared that the death rate
| from tuberculosis had decreased by
one-half in the past decade. In Maine
the rate Is lower than in most other
states and he stated that this was be-
| cause the State was not so highly in
dustrlalized as many others. AS it Is,
the greater part OF the patients are
received from the Industrial centers of
the State.
DR.. Shaw stated that when he went
| to the sanatorium az superintendent in
1915 he was the only man on the Ilace
and 50 he was electrician. plumber.
truckman and everything else tina. WIS
needed. as well as superintendent. He
| related n number OF amusing incident :,
| that had occurred in those days. for he
| said that az n truck driver he wore q
cap. but as superintendent he wore a
hat showing the distinctions between
his Jobs. and many did not known that
| he was both.
| He spoke Of the way the patient 8
were treated and declared that the
| state now did not average 80 cents per
| patient although the weekly rate to
he charged Is s12. The food ne declar-
ed was excellent and every effort was
made to make the paticpt comfortable
and keep them from worrying. The
latest thing is the radio that has been
| installed with headsct at each bed,
and lie declared that this was the incest
thing done there. for now the patient
did not dread the approach of nightfall
az they enjoyed the radio so we'll. One
interesting thing in that connection he
declared was that women seem to like
the prize fights better than the men.
| Harry A. Newman. president of the
! Lions internatio clubs. will be the
guest of the Boston club on october 81.
] ard Watcrville as well as other clubs
7 In the 33rd district will send represent
| atives to the meeting there. which will
take the form of a banquet.