FOURTH FLOOR.
On the fourth floor are located the surgical operating-rooms and surgical ward. There are also a large number of nice, large, well furnished separate rooms on this floor, used principally for the accommodation of surgical cases. Strong, broad, iron staircases connect all the upper floors with the ground, so that in case of fire, patients need have no fear of being unable to get out safely. In fact, the building has been constructed so as to render the rapid spread of fire through it impossible, all the floors being laid on cement.
A STEAM PASSENGER ELEVATOR
is provided, so that the upper floors are quite as desirable as those lower down. The dining-rooms for gentlemen, as well as those for ladies, are located in the basement, which is reached either by stairways or by the elevator. The kitchen, store-rooms, chill-rooms, pantries, and all culinary arrangements are also in the basement.
FIRE-PROOF VAULTS.
Six large fire-proof vaults are provided in this building in which to preserve, secure from observation, as well as from fire, all records of cases examined and treated by the Faculty.
Throughout all this vast building the visitor is struck with the wonderful order and system with which every detail is carried out.
THE BATH DEPARTMENT.
The Invalids' Hotel and Surgical Institute, as hereinbefore indicated, is provided with Turkish, and other approved baths, with a treatment-room, fitted up with vacuum and movement-treatment apparatus of the most modern and approved style. These and much more ingeniously devised apparatus and appliances are brought into use in a great variety of chronic affections with marvelously successful results. A perfect system of physical training, especially adapted to the wants of the invalid and weak, and most skillfully conducted and applied, is not the least important among the many advantages that the chronic sufferers here find.
THE SURGICAL DEPARTMENT.
In the Surgical Department, every instrument and appliance approved by the modern operator is provided, and many and ingenious are the instruments and devices that the Faculty of this institution have invented and perfected to meet the wants of their numerous cases.
OUR REMEDIES.
In the prescribing of remedies for disease, the Staff resort to the whole broad field of materia medica, allowing themselves to be hampered by no school, ism, pathy, or sect. The medicines employed are all prepared by skilled chemists and pharmacists, and the greatest care is exercised to have them manufactured from the freshest and purest ingredients. Our Faculty probably employ a greater number and variety of extracts from native roots, barks and herbs in their practice than are used in any other invalids' resort in the land. All of the vegetable extracts employed in our practice are prepared in our own Laboratory.
REGULATION OF DIET.
The table is supplied with an abundance of wholesome and nutritious food, especially adapted and prepared to suit the invalid, it being varied to suit each particular case. The Faculty recognize the importance of proper food as one of the greatest factors in the treatment of chronic diseases. While properly regulating and restricting the food of the invalid when necessary, they also recognize the fact that many are benefited by a liberal diet of the most substantial food, as steaks, eggs, oysters, milk, and other very nutritious articles of diet, which are always provided in abundance for those for whom they are suited.
From previous experience somewhere, some people get the impression that they are to be half starved at such an institution as this. If this is the case anywhere it is not so here, as any one who has ever resided at our sanitarium will attest.
TRAINED ATTENDANTS.
A sufficient number of trained and experienced nurses are employed, that those requiring attendance may have the very best of care.
GOOD ORDER.
The institution is conducted in an orderly manner, that the utmost quiet may be secured. The Faculty insist, upon the part of the invalid, while under treatment, on the observance of habits of regularity in eating, sleeping, bathing and exercise. Only by such observance of hygienic laws can they succeed in their course of remedial training, and make the treatment curative.
AMUSEMENTS.
While insisting upon strict observance of rules established for the good of the patient, they do not make their requirements so rigid as to interfere with the comfort and enjoyment of their patients, but, on the contrary, endeavor, in every manner possible, to provide innocent and entertaining amusements for all, recognizing the great importance of pleasant occupation of the mind, as an essential part of the treatment. Hence the introduction of music, amusing games, light reading, and kindred agencies for pleasant entertainment, is not neglected.
UNPARALLELED SUCCESS.
The founder of this institution commenced, many years ago, with little capital, to build up a business in the treatment of chronic diseases and devoted himself diligently to that end. His reputation for skill in his chosen field of practice gradually extended until, to-day, his fame and that of the World's Dispensary and Invalids' Hotel and Surgical Institute, are simply world-wide. As the business increased those eminent for skill have been induced to join the Faculty, until eighteen professional gentlemen, each devoting his attention to a special branch of practice, constitute the Medical and Surgical Staff.
One reason why we excel in the treatment of chronic diseases is the fact that we are supplied with all the modern improvements in the way of instruments, appliances and remedial agents used in the healing art, the expense of which deters the local physician in general practice from procuring, for the treatment of the limited number of cases that come within the circuit of his practice. The treatment of such cases requires special attention and special study to be successful.
A COMMON SENSE VIEW.
It is a well-known fact, that appeals to the judgment of every thinking person, that a physician who devotes his whole time to the study and investigation of a certain class of diseases, must become better qualified to treat them than he who attempts to treat every ill to which flesh is heir, without giving special attention to any particular class of diseases. Men, in all ages of the world, who have made their marks, or who have become famous, have devoted their lives to some special branch of science, art or literature.
LIBERALITY.
We wage no war against any physician, no matter what school of medicine he may represent; but, on the other hand, we invite the co-operation of all regular physicians. We are always ready and willing to impart to them any information or render any assistance that will be of mutual benefit to them and their patients.
OUR PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS
do not travel to solicit practice, having all the business that they can attend to at our institution, nor do we employ any agents to travel and peddle or otherwise sell our medicines. If any one engaged in such business, represents himself as in any way connected with our institutions, he is a swindler and should be apprehended and prosecuted as such. And any one who will give us such information as will lead to the arrest and conviction of any person so misrepresenting will be liberally rewarded.
While not permitting any member of our professional staff to travel and solicit practice, yet we are always willing to accommodate and send a specialist to visit important or critical cases in consultation, or otherwise, or to perform important surgical operations as explained on [page 971] of this book.
Let none deceive you by representing that they have heretofore been connected with our institution and have thereby learned our original and improved methods of treatment. We have a large and competent Staff of Specialists and while we have sometimes found it necessary to make changes, yet we always manage to retain the most expert and skillful, as we cannot afford to part with the services of those who excel.
By adopting similar names to those which have long designated our world-famed institutions, some have endeavored to deceive and mislead invalids who were seeking relief. Others have named so-called "Electric" Trusses, "Liver Pads," and other contrivances after our President, thereby expecting to reap benefits from Dr. Pierce's well-known professional standing. Neither the Doctor nor this Association have any interest in any such articles.
NO BRANCHES.—Remember we have no branches except the one at No. 3 New Oxford Street, London, England.
Those desiring to consult us by letter, should address all communications plainly to
World's Dispensary Medical Association,
No. 663 MAIN STREET,
BUFFALO, N.Y.