Page:Portland, Oregon, its History and Builders volume 1.djvu/624

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been this move that the city which fails adequately to provide in this way for the care of its indigent sick, is universally regarded by medical men and women as belonging to the dark ages. Following the best standards, the staff was sought from among the younger men who are already becoming well known. The men selected were known to be interested in various branches of medicine and sur- gery, and the staff is made up largely of men specializing in one branch or an- other. The sick man or woman who goes to Multnomah Hospital will find not only first-class general medical and surgical service, but will receive examina- tions and the benefit of opinions from carefully equipped specialists in any line made advisable by his condition.

Medical Superintendent — E. P. Geary, M. D.

Medical and Surgical Staff— Robert C. Yenney, M. D. ; N. W. Jones, M. D. ; H. M. Greene, M. D. ; Alvin W. Baird, M. D. ; H. W. Hegele, M D. ; R. E. Holt, M. D. ; J. H. Bristow, M. D. ; G. S. Whiteside, M. D. ; Ralph A. Fenton, M. D. ; E. D. Johnson, M. D. ; Ralph Walker, M. D. ; J. D. Sternberg, M. D. ; Ralph Matson, M. D. ; E. A. Pierce, M. D. ; H. S. Nichols, M. D. ; Clarence Keene, M. D. ; R. J. Marsh, M. D. ; J. C. Elliott King, M. D. ; Wm. House, M. D.; R. H. ElHs, M. D.; Ray Matson, M. D.

To these men falls the duty not alone of caring for the sick, but also for lec- turing to the members of the training schools for nurses, which, under the man- agement of Mrs. Alta B. Spaulding and her assistants, is already looking forward to the graduation of its first class.

THE TUBERCULOSIS SANITORIUM.

The Portland Open Air Sanitorium was opened for the reception of tubercu- losis patients on January 8, 1905. Believing that the disease could be as suc- cessfully treated here as elsewhere, an organization was formed with Mr. A. L. Mills as president. Fourteen acres of land were purchased, several tents were erected, a small administration building and an adequate water supply were pro- vided, and the work of caring for these unfortunate people was begun. Results have been so satisfactory and the demand for accommodations so great that it has been deemed necessary to enlarge and modernize grounds and buildings until at present the institution is completely equipped.

The sanitorium is located six miles south of Portland on the east bank of the Willamette, on a beautiful wooded bluff three hundred feet above the river. A dense growth of fir, cedar and flowering shrubs cover the grounds, and make of the spot a veritable flower garden. The climate is exceeding mild and equable. The low altitude allows of a lessening nerve tension, and is a safeguard against violent hemorrhages. This spot seems ideal for the patient with fever and rapid pulse in the early and active stages of the disease. The near-by mountains and coast afford an easy change of altitude, so that in all stages conditions can be met, and necessary increase of nerve tension can be obtained without long jour- neys, which are often disastrous.

TREATMENT.

The principal factors in the successful treatment of tuberculosis are : Life in the open, absolute rest in the febrile stages, plain, wholesome food in abundance, rigid adherence to regularity of habits, and the use of the tuberculin treatment in suitable cases.

The treatment of tuberculosis is a stern business problem. H the patient has courage and good judgment, he has a right to get well, or at least to greatly pro- long his life. The modern sanitorium removes him from the cares of home and teaches him not only to prevent reinfecting himself, but to avoid infecting others.

Sanitoria are today permanently arresting the disease in 80 per cent of early cases, providing good judgment and sufficient time are employed. These are the encouraging statements of the medical director in charge of the sanitor- ium, Dr. E