Anyone who has been to, or even seen the Adirondack Mountains, knows what a naturally beautiful setting it truly is. The pristine environment is almost sure to put individuals at ease, but can it truly heal them? That was widely believed during the 19th and 20th centuries when many individuals were sent to the Adirondack region to be cured of various ailments. Patients battling pulmonary tuberculosis were often sent to the Adirondacks in hope of being cured. This is obviously a starkly different approach than modern day where medicine is used in nearly every case of illness.
Dr. Edward Trudeau made use of this approach in the Adirondacks and often prescribed his Saranac, NY sanitarium patients open-air treatment to heal them of their respiratory illness. While this is relatively unheard of in modern day medicine, it is still regarded as a quite effective technique. Most of his patients were transferred up from New York City, so the fresh mountain air was very much a change from the grimy city situation in that era. The clean atmosphere of the Adirondack Park was very much useful in combating the microorganisms which cause the disease due to the pristine, unpolluted mountain air, as well as the colder climate.
Many stories of people healing in the Adirondacks certainly sound far-fetched, although there are so many accounts of it, its validity is not as much in question. Individuals ailed with TB would arrive in their Adirondack sanitarium in poor condition and just with a literal change in scenery, they would be cured in a short period of time. Throughout their recovery, Dr. Trudeau would have his patients “hunting, hiking, swimming in the Adirondack lakes, and even painting the natural scenery.” The city allowed the disease to fester in its hosts, but the favorable environment of the Adirondacks could have a much greater impact on the disease, claimed Trudeau.
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Trudeau brought himself into the relatively primitive Adirondacks of the mid to late 19th century in order to cure himself of tuberculosis, in which he was successful. He insisted on what a great treatment it is for TB. In his road to physical recovery, he found himself being spiritually healed as well. The fresh environment of the Adirondacks made him feel more connected with nature which he insisted should be apart of every patient’s road to recovery. He hoped that the environment would cure his patients of tuberculosis, although he also made sure to hold the goal of making sure his patients became closer to the natural world. Ultimately, judging by the case of Trudeau himself, and the cases of his patients, it appears that the Adirondacks may not have a majestic ability to cure patients. Although, the clean air and recreational activities can help patients recuperate faster than nearly anywhere else.
Works Cited
Doerner, Paige. “Natural Healing in the Adirondacks (Graduate Research).” Imponderabilia, 18 Apr. 2013, https://paigedoerner.wordpress.com/2013/04/18/natural-healing-in-the-adirondacks-graduate-research/.
This is a great topic, Sam! I like the formal tone you went for because it made the blog very informational and interesting. I appreciated the information because, as someone with a Mexican background, I can compare how the Adirondack land is used to how Jalisco land is used. I also remember the readings that connect to this topic which is great since you go into depth about Edward Trudeau.
Interesting post, Sam!
I enjoyed reading about Dr. Trudeau’s sanatorium and work with TB; it is clear that this connects to the readings from last week about the sick boy who was left for dead with a guide but emerged from the woods a grizzled mountain man. It is interesting to consider the powers of the Adirondacks (and nature in general) and the effect they can have on the health of people. Do you think that there is a psychological aspect to the physical healing of those who leave New York City for the Adirondacks? Now that the Park is more developed and commercialized, do you think that this healing power is diminished?
Awesome topic, Sam! I enjoyed how you went into greater depth about a topic that we talked about in our discussion. Today, mental health plays a big part in the general discussion of health. How do you think this added dimension to health can support/contradict Trudeau’s approach to the Adirondacks as a healing power? If Trudeau were to still be alive today, how do you think he would respond to the mental health movement?