New Patients Nearly Every Day

In The Health Reformer for March, 1867, Dr. Lay reported that nearly every day witnessed the arrival of new patients, and he spoke of the difficulty in finding rooms for those who were coming. With hopeful optimism he continued:SHM 174.1

“We would say, however, that we hope the time is not far distant when we shall have room enough to accommodate two or three hundred patients. Perhaps this will be no further distant than next autumn. We trust every true friend of the cause will continue to work with ardor and zeal.”SHM 174.2

By the time of the first annual meeting, held on May 17, 1867, the state legislature of Michigan had passed a special act “to provide for the formation of corporations for establishing health institutions,” under which the Health Reform Institute was recognized as a corporate body. At this meeting the articles of association and the bylaws were read and adopted. A gratifying report was rendered by the auditor, stating that for the eight months of its operation the institution had a patient income of $9,584.05, and the statement of income and expense showed a net profit of $1,653.33. It was pointed out that the business thus made possible a dividend to the investors at the rate of 10 per cent per annum. The Review and Herald, May 28, 1867. This favorable report increased the enthusiasm in the plans for quickly adding another large building.SHM 174.3