Nordrach in the Black Forest has been so much written about that many people are under the impression it, and not Goerbersdorf, is the birthplace of the sanatorium treatment, whereas the Sanatorium at Nordrach was not established for over thirty years after Breh tiler had demon strated the success of his methods at Goerbers dorf. It then consisted of a single house with accommodation for ten patients. Yet the treat ment is often called "the Nordrach treatment." The place is 30 miles from Strassburg, and may be reached by carriage from the stations Bibe rach-Zell or Gengenbach on the Black Forest railway. The Sanatorium stands within about eighty acres of its own grounds, and is sur rounded by miles of forest land. Dr. Walther follows out the system with great steadfast ness. The rooms are furnished with severe simplicity ; there are no carpets or hangings ; there are no amusements for the inmates col lectively; visits of friends and relatives are discouraged; all business is forbidden, except the business of cure.
Patients are compelled to go out at all hours and in all weathers, extra wraps being provided when necessary, unless their condition requires the only other alternative, rest in their own room in bed, the windows being open. Many of the windows are made to be taken out alto gether during the warmer part of the year. Just as the fresh-air system is pursued to its utmost limit, so the other element in the treat ment—feeding--is pushed vigorously, and even forced. " Several inaccurate accounts ", says Dr. F. R. Walters, "have been given concerning the diet at Nordrach, even by presumably trust worthy observers, and Dr. Walther was at some pains to correct these inaccuracies. Three meals a day are provided, at 8.30 a.m., at 1 and 7 p.m.
The breakfast consists of coffee, bread and butter, and cold meat of sonic kind. Dinner includes two hot courses of meat, or fish and meat, with plenty of potatoes and green vege tables, and sauces containing butter. Following this are pastry, farinaceous pudding, fruit or ice cream, with coffee to finish. Supper consists of one hot and one cold course, together with tea. Milk is added to the dietary until the patient's weight has reached a reasonable standard, never more than a half-litre (less than a pint) being given with each meal. The meals are taken in the presence of the doctor, who encourages the patient to finish what is given him, and eat a reasonable quantity of every kind of food pro vided. The stories about patients being com pelled, after vomiting, to begin their dinners over again against their will are inaccurate. So also are the statements as to enormous quantities of meat or food generally being gi ven." The same remark falls also to be made about Nordrach that has been made about all pro perly conducted sanatoria, that, namely, the medical supervision is constant, and extends to every detail of the patient's daily life.
No imitation of sanatorium methods can expect to be successful, except in the simplest cases, where this supervision is not properly and continuously exercised. Therefore in the selection of a sanatorium any patient should, at the very outset, enquire whether such detailed medical supervision exists.
Some of the institutions, named in the lists which follow, are of world-wide repute, and no mistake can be made in resorting to them. But concerning any of the less known, patients must make full enquiry for themselves.