Figure 1.--There were both private a public sanitorium opened in the United Sttes. The Seaside Sanatorium was opened by the state of New York (1919). It was located on the edge of Long Island Sound with a nice beach fcikity as a tuberculosis sanatorium for children and adults who could not aford private treatment. Here we see a winter scene with the biys still enouraged to get as much fresh air and sunshine as possible. We are not sure when this photograoh was take, perhps the 1940s. The tuberculosis program was ended (1958). A reader writes, 'If the winter clothing was anything to go by one got cleared of T.B but caught a chill from the cold. Plucky lads to wear so few clothes in the snow.' The Seaside State Sanatorium changed use in the 1960s becoming successively a geriatric home, then a mental institution, then ahome for the disabled, closing eventually (1996).

American doctors followed developments in Europe. The Adirondack Cottage Sanitarium was at Saranac Lake, New York (1885). This was the first sanitorium in North America. Highh mountains like the Alps did not exist in the East. Thus the American sanitoria did not have the mountin locations and cold mountain air like the Swiss ones, but they did have dfrsh air and sunshine in forrested areas near pristine lakes north of New York City. This was the same cplace many summer camps were founded. Quite a nunmber if sanitoria were subsequently founded throufhout the United States. And with the settlement of the West, we see them in areas far from the northeastern cities where tunerculosis was a problem. We see them being founded in dry desert areas, about as far away from green and snowy Swiss mountains locations as one could imagine. These desert sanitoria, many located in Arizona, did offer clean air and plenty of sunshine. People often called 'lungers', but they attracted not only those suffering from tuberculosis, but rheumatism, asthma and other dehibilitating diseases. Arizona became known for these sanitiria, and quite a range of facilities were opened There were exclusuve facilities for the wealthy, but very basic tent cities also developed for the poor as those of limited means. Colorado especially Colorado City, with its dry climate and mountains also became a popular site for sanitoria. Almost at the same time that sanitoria began to appear, Americans and Europeans began visiting seaside beaches. The advent of the railroads made it easy for holiday goers of even modest meanh to reach beach resorts. The sea air, sunshine, and beaches were seen as healthful, At first in America this meant places like Cony Island or Atlantic City. And some sanatoria were established there. An example is the Sraside State Sanatorium seen here (Ifigure 1). And as Florida developed as a popular resort area, we see sanitoria being located there as well. The American sanatoria beggan to close after World War II as anibiotics began mking made the disease less common. Today the A.G. Holley Hospital in Lantana, Florida is the last remaining freestanding tuberculosis sanatorium in the United States.Today the A.G. Holley Hospital in Lantana, Florida is the last remaining freestanding tuberculosis sanatorium in the United States.Sadly the disease is now becoming rife among the homeless. Thre is no one to check they take their medication and it can be spread easily in large towns and cities. The immuno-compromised are particularly vulnerable - those with HIV or undergoing immunosuppression following transpalnts or cancer treatment.

Created: 4:48 AM 4/11/2012
Last update: 4:48 AM 4/11/2012