I was intrigued reading about Murray's 19th century attitude towards the Adirondacks' restorative and curative nature as put forth in his Adventures in the Wilderness. I did some research on early sanatoriums in the Adirondacks and found the Adirondack Cottage (or Trudeau) Sanatorium to be an interesting one. Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau opened the Adirondack Cottage Sanatorium in 1884. In the 19th century, Tuberculosis was a rampant and feared disease. The disease most noticeably affected a patient's lungs. In the 1800's there was no medicinal treatment, but rather doctors advised patients to rest, get fresh air, and eat healthy. As a result, multitudes of people came to the Adirondacks for this fresh air, seeking a cure to TB. Trudeau himself was diagnosed with TB and was cured after he moved to the Adirondacks and spending the majority of his time outdoors.
There is an impressive amount of primary sources about the Sanatorium including a "Rules and Information for Patients" Handbook from the early 1930's. It has information ranging from specific handkerchief dimensions and directions for disposing of sputum cups, which people would spit their mucus into it. In addition, there is a heavy emphasis on spending time outdoors, even at night as sleeping porches were constructed:
"Patients are expected to lead an out-of-door life---that is to remain seven to ten hours in the open air during the daytime. In the cottages provision is made for sleeping out on the porches. Each patient is required to be out-of-doors from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm and from 2:00 to 5:00 pm." https://localwiki.org/hsl/Rules_and_Information_for_Patients.
Although this was an institution, the people who resided at the Sanatorium still had parties and community events. In the spirit of Halloween, here is a photograph of the patients all dressed up for a Halloween party in the 1930s.
I love that you researched this and I especially love the pictures you included. It is wonderful that in a place that could be full of despair, these people are able to find hope and have a good time. I think this is a very cool part of Adirondack history that often gets overlooked because it is no longer a part of the modern Adirondacks.
ReplyDeleteI found this extremely interesting as well. The Adirondacks were so idealized even back then where it was thought to be one of the best cures for TB. It really creates a heightens the perceived disparity between the "urban, working world that slowly wears a person out" and the "pastoral playground of health" that is the Adirondacks.
ReplyDeleteNice use of pictures Ianna! I thought it was really neat how you were able to find primary sources on this topic. I loved the quote you included from the handbook as well. It really gives us a sense for what it was like back then in the Sanatorium.
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