Glenn Dale asylum, also known as the Glenn Dale Tuberculosis Sanatorium, was a hospital located in Glenn Dale, Maryland that was built in the early 20th century to treat tuberculosis (TB), a highly contagious and often deadly infectious disease that affects the lungs. The hospital was in operation from 1934 to 1982 and at its peak, it housed over 1,000 patients.
The Glenn Dale asylum was built in response to the tuberculosis epidemic that swept the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. At the time, there was no effective treatment for TB and hospitals were overcrowded with patients. The Glenn Dale asylum was designed to provide patients with a comfortable and healthy environment in which to recover from the disease. The hospital was built on a sprawling campus that included several buildings, including patient wards, administrative offices, and a chapel.
The hospital was known for its state-of-the-art facilities and innovative treatment methods. Patients were placed in one of two categories: convalescent or active. Convalescent patients were those who were no longer contagious and were in the recovery phase of the disease. They were housed in separate buildings and were allowed to have visitors. Active patients, on the other hand, were still contagious and were isolated in separate buildings to prevent the spread of the disease.
Treatment at the Glenn Dale asylum was focused on improving the overall health of the patient and included a combination of rest, nutrition, and medications. Patients were encouraged to participate in recreational activities, such as sports and arts and crafts, to help them recover physically and mentally.
Despite the hospital's efforts to provide the best care possible, many patients did not survive their stay at the Glenn Dale asylum. The mortality rate was high due to the advanced stage of the disease in many patients and the lack of effective treatments at the time.
The Glenn Dale asylum closed its doors in 1982 due to the decline in TB cases and the development of more effective treatments for the disease. Today, the hospital stands abandoned and is a popular destination for urban explorers and ghost hunters. Despite its history, the Glenn Dale asylum remains an important part of the community's history and serves as a reminder of the impact of TB on society.
