Library Collections: Document: Full Text

Percentage of Incipient Cases "arrested" or "apparently cured."

A quotation from a study of the subsequent histories of patients who had left the Sanatorium, taken from the ninth annual report of September 30, 1905, is also added.

Subsequent Histories to Date (October 1, 1905) of Former Patients of Both Departments treated in the Sanatorium Previous to October 1, 1904.

The subsequent histories of former patients make the crucial test of any method of treatment, and are of vital importance.

For the first time in the history of the Sanatorium, tabulations of the results of former treatment have been made with painstaking care, and are hereby appended. That they give us convincing proof of the value of the work at Rutland in the past six years we think no one can deny.

In reading these figures, it must be remembered, moreover, that failure to receive replies or inability to trace the patient does not mean necessarily that the result has been unfavorable. In many of the earlier cases we have failed to receive news for months after the first inquiries have been made. Oftentimes, too, favorable accounts have been received of former patients through others. It is reasonable to suppose, therefore, that many of those from whom we have not heard as yet are still alive and at work.

The estimates for expenses during the ensuing year in the report of 1907 are as follows: --

The estimate for maintenance is made up as follows: --

THE MILLET SANATORIUM AT EAST BRIDGEWATER.

This sanatorium was founded and incorporated under the laws of Massachusetts in 1900, by Dr. Charles E. Millet of Brockton, Mass., and his two brothers, in memory of their father. Dr. Asa Millet of East Bridgewater, who for many years was a physician of that locality renowned for his unselfish devotion to others, his wonderfully good judgment, and willingness even in his advanced years to try new methods of treatment which appealed to his common sense.

His son, Dr. Charles E. Millet, conceived the idea of converting the old paternal estate into a sanatorium for tuberculous patients, in consequence of his success during the two years previous to opening the sanatorium in treating patients in their homes by making them sleep on open balconies. With the cordial consent of the brothers and the financial aid of the late Mrs. Abbie Wild Ford of Brockton, the estate was changed to a sanatorium, which was opened in 1900. The buildings are at an elevation of only one hundred and thirty feet above sea level, about twenty miles from the sea, and thirty miles to the south of Boston.

The original house was a fine old wooden structure, similar to many seen in that part of New England, built from one hundred to one hundred and fifty years ago. In the basement is installed a complete hydrotherapeutic establishment, which is used extensively in the treatment. In recent years additions have been made in the shape of a large two-story ward attached to the rear of the building, and especially adapted to open-air treatment by means of wheeling the patients' beds on to adjacent piazzas.

About 1901 it became necessary to build small "shacks" to accommodate the increased number of patients. It is believed that this was the first effort to bring the "shack" into use in this country. These "shacks" are near the main building, made of wood, twelve by eighteen feet, with flat roofs, mounted on posts six feet from the ground, and so arranged as to allow free passage of air on all sides. The interiors are divided into a bedroom twelve feet square and a dressing room six by twelve feet. In the latter is a chimney and stove, a set wash-basin with running water and water-closet, a movable bureau and a wardrobe.

The capacity has been increased from ten beds in 1900 to forty-five in 1908. The Sanatorium is heated by steam and lighted by electricity. There are separate buildings for nurses and servants. A private dairy farm of tested cows is a valuable adjunct to the institution, and the sewerage system has been perfected at heavy cost. The water supply is excellent and abundant.