SANATORIUM PARLIAMENTARY VISIT 1905

TREATMENT OF CONSUMPTIVES GREENVALE SANATORIUM PARLIAMENTARY VISIT.
MEMBERS WELL PLEASED.

A Parliamentary party), escorted by the Premier (Mr Bent) and Mr Mackey), honorary Minister, yesterday visited the Consumptive sanatorium at Greenvale four miles from Broadmeadows. Mr Bent arranged the trip to give an opportunity to members to see the measures that are taken in that institution for the relief and cure of consumptive patients

Three motor vehicles were utilised for the conveyance of the party. About 16 travelled in the large motor omnibus recently completed by the Railway department.

Mr Bent was accompanied in the Ministerial car by a few members, and Mr Prendergast leader of the Opposition travelled with two brother members in a small motor car.

The journey was commenced after an early lunch at Parliament house, and the sanatorium was reached after a brisk run of an hour and a half.

When members arrived the chairman of the Board of Public Health (Dr Norris) received them.

The party generally seemed very pleased with the sanatorium and it’s appointments.

It is situated on a gentle slope near the base of a hill, and is so constructed that the patients have the benefit of the sun.

All the inmates are cases of which it is hoped to cure, although, of course some of them are much more advanced than others.

But the curative treatment is applied to all. The first thing that is insisted upon is regularity in habits and the whole discipline of the establishment is carried out with military precision.
Eating, exercise, rest, sleep, recreation are all subject to regulation, and are carried out on a time table.

There is a bell for rising, a bell for meals, a bell for walking, a bell for resting and a bell for retiring to bed at night.

In nearly every instance improvement has been noticeable as a result of the treatment, and with regard to one patient it is claimed that an absolute cure has already been effected.

In this case the patient arrived at the institution many weeks ago showing clearly symptoms of consumption in its car her stages. After treatment the patient was discharged as cured, and sought employment in a calling for which a medical examination was necessary.

The doctor who examined the patient gave a clean bill of health, and this person is now in active work.

The treatment which patients receive is practically an open air treatment, with provision for protection against harsh winds.

The doors and windows in the wards are open day, and night and during the day the patients spend most of their time absolutely in the open air.

They are not allowed to indulge in amusements calculated to excite them. For that reason cards are forbidden, as it has been observed that the excitement caused by even a friendly game causes a rise in temperature and exercises a prejudicial effect on the patient.

Sometimes patients desire to shirk their food, but the first essential in the war against consumption is to keep the system well sustained with nourishing food. Patients are, therefore, gently but firmly forced to eat what is prescribed for them.

The exercises! for the most part consist of short walks. Some of the patients are not capable even of that. But those who are use their strength in walking slowly, up the hill when they reach the top the rest in sheds so constructed. That shelter can be secured no matter from which point the wind is blowing.

After a little rest, the easier walk of descent is made, and the patient lies in the ward and takes a rest for about 20 minutes before having anything to eat.

The difficulty in connection with this in institution so far has been the water supply.

There are two or three tanks in the place, but these are not sufficient for all purposes, and some of the water has to be carried from stations on the Essendon to Broadmeadows line.

The water supply is a matter of importance, even more as to its quality than its quantity, and with regard to that Dr Norris takes abundant precautions.

He showed the visitors samples of water in various stages of purification by treatment to which he subjected it.

Members could look at the institution only from the standpoint of laymen, but speaking from that point of view, they were unanimous that the work was being done, and that the institution was admirably adapted for the class of cases treated.

The return journey was completed in time for the meeting of Parliament at half past.

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