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First public sanatorium for treatment of tuberculosis opens.

1884

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Founded by Dr. Edward Trudeau for "whites only," the first public sanatorium is located on Lake Saranac in New York. It offers a place for patients to recuperate with access to fresh air and sunlight, which are seen at the time as the necessary treatments for tuberculosis. Medical experts of the time believe that the location's elevation of 2,200 feet above sea level provides air pressure equal to that in blood vessels, and believe this will slow down the progression of the disease. They also name the sanatorium's physical activities, scenery, and lack of stress as part of the healing regimen. Previously, only the wealthy were able to leave the city for "fresh air" treatment; this marks the first government-funded sanatorium.