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To the small farm, upon which the buildings now stand, more than one hundred acres of beautiful woodland have been added to the property by gift and by purchase. By this the buildings are shielded from the harshest winds and the woods are being slowly developed as a park for the patients' use, the sale of timber being made a source of income to the sanatorium. A few acres of farm land are used for the production of vegetables sufficient for the patients' needs throughout the summer season, the supply of potatoes usually being sufficient for the whole year. Milk is obtained from an excellent herd of cows on the Town Farm near by, which is in charge of an excellent Superintendent, the animals being occasionally examined by the State Inspector.

The cost per patient is one of the difficult problems of such an institution. All sanatoria of this nature are naturally comparatively expensive. If good results are to be obtained, a much larger outlay is required for provisions than in ordinary hospitals. The fact that a prolonged stay is necessary for each patient means that the surroundings must be attractive, though not necessarily luxurious, and entertainment must be afforded to relieve monotony as essentials in treatment. The class of patients received at Sharon is also a factor in the expense. People of refinement, even if of very limited means, naturally require more than the lowest class of the poor. All these considerations have to be taken into account in estimating the comparative cost of different institutions. The price of board thus far charged ($5 a week) barely covers one-third of the outlay, and in spite of earnest endeavor to use economy it has hitherto been impossible to lessen the expense per capita.

The number of people in the working staff of the sanatorium is as follows: a Superintendent and Matron (since May, 1901, Miss Alice R. Hodges), who has charge of the general administration and of the nurses; a Resident Physician (Dr. Walter A. Griffin since 1901), who, with the Medical Director, has charge of the medical department; two nurses; seven maids; and two men-of-all-work for the stable and farm.

The experiment has been tried in times past of employing the patients in the general work of the household; but for various reasons this has been found impracticable, chiefly because not only is it apt to interfere with the course of treatment, but because of the liability to illness, thus crippling the management. Each patient, however, is supposed to have the care of her own room, unless the physical condition contraindicates it.

The institution is free of any debt, but is in constant need of funds to supply the annual deficit. An Auxiliary Committee of ladies and gentlemen has been of invaluable service in adding large sums to the treasury by bazaars and other entertainments. An attempt is being made to establish an endowment fund, and thus far about $20,000 has been obtained for that purpose.

The results obtained at Sharon have long since shown that what was started as an experiment over seventeen years ago has justified the belief that much more can be done near the patients' homes than was thought possible a comparatively few years ago. Since the development of the method of fresh-air treatment, by which the patients are practically in the open air nearly every minute of the twenty-four hours, summer and winter, the results are even more satisfactory than in the earlier days, when less rigorous methods were in use. A few statements are appended, showing the results of treatment.

The Medical Report for March, 1907, prepared in accordance with the plan used by the National Association for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis, gives the following results: out of forty proven cases of tuberculosis treated during the year, nineteen were discharged "apparently cured," nine were discharged "arrested," ten were discharged "improved," two were discharged "progressive."

In a paper entitled "Subsequent Histories of One Hundred and Sixty 'Arrested Cases' (3) of Pulmonary Tuberculosis treated at the Sharon Sanatorium, 1891-1906," by Vincent Y. Bowditch, M.D., and Walter A. Griffin, M.D., (4) the following facts are given: --

(4) Transactions American Climatological Association, 1907, printed in 1908.

Summary of the Total Number of "Arrested" Cases, 1891-1906 inclusive.