San Francisco County
Biographies
THE DANTE
SANATORIUM
One of the most attractive, modern and distinctive institutions of its kind in the city of San Francisco is the Dante Sanatorium, situated at 1590 Broadway. It was originally known as the Adler Sanatorium, and was founded in 1904 by Mrs. Ester Adler. The meagre beginning was made in a four-room flat on Laguna street, and after an interval removal was made to 1444 Green street, where it was destroyed during the fire of 1906. Mrs. Adler next occupied three flats at 1690 Broadway, and then on April 11, 1910, she purchased the property at the corner of Van Ness and Broadway, known as the Hubert Law estate, and there erected the first hospital building. On October 10, 1921, Mrs. Adler sold her property to the Italian Hospital & Benevolent Association, and the name was changed to the Dante Sanatorium. About 1928, a beautiful addition was made to the building, constituting it one of the finest appointed hospitals in San Francisco, embodying all of the recent developments in hospital construction. It is known not only as a hospital for those requiring medical care, but likewise as a haven where convalescents may recuperate under the most favorable conditions. In architectural details and in features of service, the institution has more the atmosphere of a spacious private residence of the best type. This characteristic has been maintained since the establishment of the hospital.
Entering the sanatorium by the main entrance on Broadway, one walks up a broad pathway through a beautiful garden, beds of flowers and shrubbery placed on broad lawns. Passing through the bronze gates of the portal, under a gracefully rounded arch flanked by delicate ornamental columns, one comes to the vaulted entrance vestibule, octagonal in shape, and well lighted. The tiles of the floor and walls enhance the cheerful and bright appearance. Adjoining the lobby are the information desk, the offices of the sanatorium, and the large waiting-room. Ventilation is carefully worked out so that every room, hall and vestibule of the hospital is provided with the freshest, purified air. Each room and all the equipment is designed with the thought of the patient’s comfort in mind. The new Broadway wing of the Dante Sanatorium is particularly notable, its top floor being reserved for maternity cases. In the patient rooms, a unique and attractive feature is that there are individual nurseries or alcoves, where the infant may be placed near its mother. While mother and child are thus in the same compartments, they can still be separated from time to time by the closing of sound-proof glass doors. The temperature and ventilation are subject to the desired adjustment. Every room in this addition has a private bathroom, in vari-colored tile; and also a spacious clothes closet.
Dante Sanatorium is of Italian Renaissance style; light is on every side, and every room an outside one. The building is of reinforced concrete construction and entirely fireproof throughout. Three new wings have been added to the original structure, with a solarium and roof-garden surmounting each addition. There are one hundred and sixty-five patient-beds in all. The operating rooms are equipped in the most modern fashion, also the sterilizing rooms, the doctors’ dressing rooms and the nurses’ rooms. On the second floor are six connecting rooms constituting the X-ray department, and containing special equipment for regional diagnostic work. There is also in conjunction a department equipped for basal metabolism, diathermy and quartz light treatments. The therapy department has a modern high-voltage machine with an especially designed couch for deep therapy for cancer and tumor patients. Facilities for radiographs in the surgery or at the bedside are likewise provided. Dante Sanatorium has a fully equipped pathological laboratory.
The kitchen of the Dante Sanatorium is an immaculate and up-to-date conception in every particular. Large hooded ranges are installed; the air in the kitchen is filtered, and the water is also filtered, softened and cooled to proper temperatures. Women alone are employed in the kitchens.
Atop the Dante Sanatorium is a great solarium or sun-garden, occupying four thousand square feet. Entirely protected by glass, a uniform temperature is established, and patients may here find exquisite relaxation, with beautiful civic vistas from the windows, including the Golden Gate, the hills of the city, the bay and its islands, and the distant hills of Marin and Alameda counties. Inviting armchairs and lounges, ferns, flowers and palms, tables for bridge parties and refreshments, are some of the provisions of this attractive solarium.
The officers of this modern and popular institution are now as follows: Angelo J. Rossi, president; A. Farina, vice president; Victor A. Sbragia, secretary; G. Peschiera, treasurer; and Edward A. Trenkle, managing director. There are fifteen on the board of directors.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Source: Byington, Lewis Francis, “History of
San Francisco 3 Vols”, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.,
Chicago, 1931. Vol. 3 Pages 291-293.
© 2008 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
GOLDEN NUGGET'S SAN
FRANCISCO BIOGRAPIES