The Podcast: Sanitarium Insanity (Part 2)

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Sanitarium Insanity Part 2

Summary

In Part 2 of “Sanitarium Insanity” our two-part series on sanitariums in Bellingham, Washington, we discuss the “Yoghurt Sanitarium” in Fairhaven, Bellingham's historic south side neighborhood.  More wacky electrical devices, dubious doctors and YOGURT, or as they spelled it, “yoghurt.”  Buckle up your bacilli, it’s a wild ride!

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Listen

You can listen to the episode at …

• Spotify

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• Apple Podcasts

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• I Heart Radio

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• YouTube

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Ephemera

The Fairhaven Hotel building

Home to the Yoghurt Sanitarium in the 1920s, stood at the corner of 12th and Harris Avenue in south Bellingham.

Henry White

City attorney of Bellingham and the founder of “Yoghurt Inc.” He later became a state senator.

Yoghurt Sanitarium ad from 1922

“FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE WONDERS OF YOGHURT  Do you know you can produce poisons in your system as strong as those of venomous snakes?”

Yoghurt Sanitarium Ad from 1922

A comparison of what you will get from the Sanitarium vs. the Hospital. Presumably also a much larger bill.

Full-page spread on Yoghurt Sanitarium from 1923

A complete remodel and introducing Doctor Delbert Darst! And his devices!

The Militaire

“This wonderful electric machine called ‘Militaire’ is the outcome of the world war, having been made by the best electric brains of America, France and England, for the benefit of the hundreds of thousands of poor, maimed heroes crippled out of all resemblance to their former selves, is in constant use in government sanitariums today, is now obtainable by private practitioners and Dr. Darst received one after eight months waiting….  Makes quick work of such painful conditions as pleurisy, neuralgia, neuritis, rheumatism and a myriad of lesser diseases.  Is also used for fulguration and electro-coagulation of cancers and other malignant growths, reducing high blood pressure, etc. etc.” 

The Radio Vitant

“This powerful 2000 candle power electric light called the ‘Radio-Vitant’ light which is an imitation of the sun’s rays on mountain tops where sunlight and pure oxygen cure countless ills in an incredible short time, has relegated the old-fashioned ‘hot packs’ and their mussy water handling to the past.  For reducing pain and swellings, kidney pressure, bladder troubles, lumbago, neuritis, sore throats, congestion, tonsillitis, etc.  it is unequaled.”

The Polysine Wave

“This electric machine, the output of the great McIntosh works in Chicago, called the Polysine Wave, is the peak of Galvanic and Sinusoidal effort, is especially valuable in Prostrate, Vaginal, Constipation, Pelvic diseases, female diseases, appendicitis and countless other conditions… Also used in giving the powerful electric water bath in bath tubs.  It has been adopted by nearly every army medical corps on earth, including our own U.S.A…”

The Electro Hum/Bake Oven

“The above, known as the Electric Hum or Bake Oven, is the conquerer of rheumatism and kindred ailments.  Countless cases of rheumatism have had to be lifted into this cabinet and a half hour later marveled at the fact that they could walk away without help.  It is used for almost all ailments where elimination is desired with astonishing results.”

Dr. Delbert Darst

Inventor of the (fake) vineless potato, president of “Human Bake Oven Incorporated” and Sanipractic Physician.

Dr. Darst ditches out

Top ad is from 1929 when Dr. Darst left the Yoghurt Sanitarium and moved to downtown Bellingham. In 1941 he quit practicing altogether (bottom ad).

Yoghurt Sanitarium Logo

Pretty sweet graphic design, we have to hand it to them.

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Further Exploration

The Fairhaven Hotel

Once-majestic Fairhaven Hotel was doomed to finally end up in rubble,and other historical memories of Fairhaven. By Marles Larson, Bellingham Herald, March 26, 1965. Skagit River Journal

E. Rosamonde Ellis Van Miert “The Fairhaven Hotel Journal, 1889-1956”

Yogurt Wikipedia ;-)

Elie Metchnikoff (the papa of probiotics)

BBC:  The Country That Brought Yogurt to the World

Albert Abrams inventor of wacky medical machines

Richard Van Vleck: “The Electronic Reactions of Albert Abrams” From American Artifacts No.39 American Artifacts Scientific Medical & Mechanical Techniques

Running with the Current: Quackery in Electrical Medicine. The Scope of Urology Newsletter: Issue 8 - Winter 2022

Linda Burfield Hazzard

Starvation heights by Gregg Olsen “a true story of murder and malice in the woods of the Pacific NW”

Podcasts Mentioned:

Maintenance Phase Podcast

Scam Goddess

Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine

Other resources include articles and ads from the Bellingham Herald and other news publications accessed with subscription from Newspapers.com

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We want to thank Devin Champlin and the late, great, Lucas Hicks for the use of the ol’ Gallus Brothers tune “Too Bad West Coast Blues.” You can find that tune and more on bandcamp and and you can find Devin at Champlin Guitars in Bellingham! <3 <3 <3

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