Location of Sanitariums
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acknowledged as unfavorable to the accomplishment of the work that
our sanitariums should do.
From the standpoint of health, the smoke and dust of the cities
are very objectionable. And the patients who for a large part of their
time are shut up within four walls, often feel that they are prisoners
in their rooms. When they look out of a window, they see nothing but
houses, houses, houses. Those who are thus confined to their rooms
are liable to brood over their suffering and sorrow. Sometimes an
invalid is poisoned by his own breath.
Many other evils follow the establishment of great medical institu-
tions in the large cities.
Effects of Outdoor Life
Why deprive patients of the health-restoring blessing to be found in
outdoor life? I have been instructed that as the sick are encouraged to
leave their rooms and spend time in the open air, cultivating flowers, or
doing some other light, pleasant work, their minds will be called from
self to something more health-giving. Exercise in the open air should
be prescribed as a beneficial, life-giving necessity. The longer patients
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can be kept out of doors the less care will they require. The more
cheerful their surroundings, the more hopeful will they be. Surround
them with the beautiful things of nature, place them where they can
see the flowers growing and hear the birds singing, and their hearts
will break into song in harmony with the song of the birds. Shut them
in rooms and, be these rooms ever so elegantly furnished, they will
grow fretful and gloomy. Give them the blessing of outdoor life; thus
their souls will be uplifted. Relief will come to body and mind.
“Out of the cities,” is my message. Our physicians ought to have
been wide-awake on this point long ago. I hope and pray and believe
that they will now arouse to the importance of getting out into the
country.
The Perils of City Life
The time is near when the large cities will be visited by the judg-
ments of God. In a little while these cities will be terribly shaken. No
matter how large or how strong their buildings, no matter how many