Figure 1.--This postcard shows the Saint Trojan Sanatorium on the Isle of Oléron. Oléron is a small 12x28 km islet along the Atlantic coast. It has a mild climate with two pine forests and many long beachs.

While the sanatorium to treat infectous tuberculosis was an innovation developed in Germany, sanatoria were also founded in France. France introduced other institutions oriented sopecifically for child welfare. France set up sanatoria as well as preventoria for treating children. The first sanatorium established in was along the coast at Beck to expose patients to sea air. It was not just for tuberculosis (1870). French doctors noted the work on tuberculosis in Germany and the success of sanatoiria in Switzerland and America. The First International Congress on Tuberculosis was held in Paris (1893). The delegates endorsed the German approach of fresh air and sunshine and could it could benefit patients who had contracted tuberculosis. The Second Congress was held in Berlin where additional data was presenting confirming the results being achied using the German methods. As a result, French authorities and private individuals began opening sanatoria in France. One source estimates that an estimated 250 treament centers were opened in France (1893-1950). Sites were selected in pollution free areas in a variety of locations (mountains, sunny plateaus or sea side spoots). All emphaszed exposure to fresh air and sunshine. The designsemphazized Heliotrope architecture. We note both public and private sanatoria. Soimetimes private facilities accepted poor patients whose care was civered by the fees paid by paying patients. Municipalities open some sanatoria. The Paris Muncipal Council ws one of the most prominent. They receuved support from the Assistance Publique. The private sanatoria took in children from fanilies that could pay the fees. The French government also opened two sanatoria for poor children at Ormesson/Seine et Mrne (130 beds) and Villiers-sur Marne/Do (230 beds). Both were at reltiveky low elevations. [Walters, p. 125.] We also notice a sanatorium on thes island of Oleron at the chrming village of Saint Trojan (figure 1). It was established by Drs Bucquoy and Bergeron (1894). These doctors thought that the air of the pines and the mild climate of the sea ​​would be beneficial for sick children. The Sanatorium still exists today, but is now called "Centre Hélio-marin de Saint-Trojan". It has been modernized and has several homes for children. The children are pampered by the medical personel. French schools had home keeping classes for schools. The girls were taught that children should be dressed to enjoy the maximum of fresh air and sunshine as long as they did not catch cold. The French sanatoria disapeared, as in other countries, with the advent of antibiotics (1950s).

Sources

Walters, Frederick Rufenacht. Sanatoria for consumptives: a critical and detailed description, together ....

Created: 12:28 PM 4/14/2012
Last update: 3:03 AM 4/15/2012