Dr. Everett E, Watson Established The Institution On Mt. Regis Hill-Most Modern Of Sanitary Treatment In Use
From the 1938 centennial edition of The Times-Register
Mount Regis Sanitorium, a private institution for the treatment of pulmonary diseases was established near Salem by Dr. Everett E. Watson in May, 1914, and since that time has risen to a position of high rank in the country. It is situated on the summit of Mount Regis Hill, fifteen hundred feet above sea level, and enjoys a charm of unsurpassed scenic beauty.
On the summit of the hill all of the surrounding territory may be seen from the porches of the Sanitorium, which is sufficiently far removed from the town to be free from noise, and yet close enough to afford a panoramic view of greatest quality. Toward the east can be seen the Peaks of Otter, McAfee’s Knob, Mill Mountain, all of the other well-known peaks of the Blue Ridge, Twelve O’Clock Knob, the huge Diamond Orchard tract and many others.
In a publication issued by the Sanitorium in connection with pointing out to newcomers the fine climate of the county, since twenty-four hours per day in the open air is essential to the cure of tuberculosis, states the following:
Healthiest In U.S.
“Roanoke County, of which Salem is the county seat, holds, from a health and climatic standpoint, a position that is unique. According to records of the United States Public Health Service, it is one of the two most healthful counties in the entire United States. It is also one of the best sanitated counties in the nation and stands first in permanent sanitation. Virginia is so rich in tradition and boasts so much of historic interest that even Virginians often fail to appreciate its climatic advantages. To quote from an article published December 27, 1926, and written by T. F. Suthers: “A few years ago someone asked the Literary Digest this question: What section of the United States has the most desirable all-year-round climate? The Digest replied: From the best authorities on the subject of weather conditions it is a section of Virginia at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the vicinity of the City of Roanoke.”
There are many private cottages each named after a physician such as Holmes, Carter, Simmons, and Taliaferro, well known for their outstanding work in the conquest of disease.
Main Building
On the first floor of the attractive main building are the reception and assembly rooms, the physicians’ offices, examination and throat-treatment room, bacteriological and X-Ray laboratories, business office and two emergency rooms. Adjoining these are the dining room, kitchen, cold storage and sterilizing room for dishes. Over the dining-hall and apart from the main building is the nurses home. The second and third floors of the main building are occupied by patients.
The Sanitorium is equipped with every modern convenience. The X-Ray laboratory which is equipped for fluoroscopic and stereoscopic work is in the hands of the competent operator. Other equipment consists of sterilizers of the latest design, running ice water on every floor, and the latest cold storage equipment.
The institution has an abundant supply of pure freestone water piped from a mountain spring located at the base of Twelve O’Clock Knob. To ensure its purity the water is examined bacteriologically at regular intervals.
The main building of the Sanitorium is insulated and no trouble or expense is spared in the effort to make the culinary department efficient and attractive. The limited number of patients makes it possible to cater to individual tastes in the preparation and serving of food. Every dish is thoroughly sterilized in a modern electric sterilizer.
In the private cottages which are available for those preferring this type of accommodation there is a living room, dressing room, bath, sleeping porch and bedside long-distance telephone.
Dr. Watson lives on the Sanitorium grounds and is available day and night. Graduate nurses are employed, and each department head has been at Mount Regis for many years.
-Prepared by Lisa King
