HOW 400 LIVES WERE SAVED. 1908

THE OPEN-AIR CURE.
EXAMINED BY THE GOVERNOR.

His Excellency Sir Reginald and Lady Talbot expressed a desire some time ago to be permitted once again to see how consumption is combated at the Broadmedows Sanatorium, and how patients enjoy the open an treatment on a bleak day. A visit was recently arranged.

His Excellency was received by the medical superintendent (Dr Henderson) and the the matron (Miss Harkness), and Dr Norris (chairman of the Board of Public Health), and was shown over CYRIL department, and informed as to the history and achievement of the home.

The chief fact is that the sanatorium has already saved between 400 and 500. Invalids to this number have been admitted, treated, and discharged since the home was established, 1905, by the Premier (Mr Bent) and the Minister of Health (Mr. Cameron), and nearly all of them are still tuning their livelihood.

In the ordinary course most of them would by now have been either dead or dying and, in accordance with the well established history of this white plague,” they would have infected and probably brought at least half as many upon the diseased list.

Cured, they have become missionaries of right living, and this, Sir Reginald learnt, is to be bracketed with relief as the main object in view.

The founders of this Greenvale hygeia, equally with its managers, the members of the Board of Health, contemplate that every patient as he leaves shall take with him a knowledge of the plain truths that would (in practice) enormously reduce, if not abolish, the scourge, and a habit of cleanliness, exercise, diet, and personal conduct that must yield proselytes.

The success of the regiment was quite obvious to the visitors. Three Years ago, when Sir Reginald Talbot saw the place in its infancy there were only between 35 beds; in November, 1906, the accommodation was increased to 70, recently, by the direction of the Premier, two additional frame structures, to receive eight patients, have been put up.

The men and women on the day of the vice-regal visit lived in strict accordance with the routine that is to secure their conversion from decrepit victims of tubercle into profitable citizens.

At 7 o’clock they had a first draught of milk, hot or cold according to preference; then a short, sharp shower-baths – a cold shower bath.

At 8 breakfast – porridge and toast, toast and milk or other easily digested, nourishing food; and the wiser and most obedient among them carefully and slowly masticate even the porridge.

Then for at least half an hour rest, followed by medical inspection. The taking of temperatures the destruction of sputum, at an incinerator.

Exercise and tasks as ordered occupied nine-tenths until close on midday; the men were to dig, hoe, weed, and assist generally in the grounds, or to walk slowly uphill in a zigzag course, or clean lamps and knives, mop the wards and bathrooms; the women (in loose garments – corsets are prohibited) were engaged in bed making dish washing the cleaning of silver and glass.

An hours rest preceded dinner. The visitors arrived at the time the second meal is being enjoyed – soup, fish, meats, an appetising – with milk – always milk -on demand (The milk bill is over £500 n Year)

Rest was again enjoined, Then the doctors exanimation. light work or exercise till half-past 4; the thermometer and the pulse records were made, succeeded by sixy minutes lying down, reading unexciting, cheerful books; tea; another rest. another visit by the physician, another examination of temperature and heart beats; a milk supper at 8, and to bed at 9 o’clock

Ten hours sleep is enjoined – and usually enjoyed – all this either under sky sky or in rooms free on all or all but one side to the breezes of the day or night.

Lady Talbot had opportunities for noting that the women are cheerful, happy and hopeful. In conversation they expressed their surprise that “draughts’ cure and do not kill; their delight at quick growth of strengthening – many consumptives, (who have stuffy homes, where even breath of fresh air is treated as an enemy) convinced themselves that any exertion would be deadly), find in a fortnight. under the kind but imperative ruling of the medical staff.

One or two, during the intervals for rest were seen reading “The Consumptives bible” a pamphlet in which Dr Norris has provided the Twenty Commandments that would (if universally obeyed) prevent the spread of this most fatal of all scourges.

Do not kiss,” shave.” “use wraps or even hot-water bottles to maintain warmth rather than sit huddled over a file” are typical of the rules.

The visitors were very interested in the system, which has already justified itself so thoroughly, and during the tour of the shelters provided against rain, the cubicles that ensure free currents even of the coldest air, and the administrative block (just being enlarged to meet the extra demands on the kitchen). congratulated Dr Norris, Dr Henderson and Miss Harkness on the good work which the Broadmeadows sanatorium is accomplishing.

Especially noticeable was the intelligence with which the sufferers had grasped the central truths – the making of new blood ensures the defeat of the microbe of tubercle, and that the best repayment a patient can make for his own recovery is to assist in preventing the spread of the disease, to others.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/10660263