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“Sholokhov’s Line” in the History of the Sanatorium “Vyoshenskiy”

It has been 45 years since the agreement of All-Union Central Council of Trade Unions for construction of a sanatorium in Vyoshenskaya. Late in the December of 1964 Sholokhov visited the place chosen for the construction site and further on took the most active part in solving all the questions concerning the future sanatorium.

The history of the sanatorium foundation started from the moment when the experts of the Kamensk geologist prospect station while boring one of the chinks discovered water of an unusual taste. Having tested the samples the Pyatigorsk Scientific Research Institute of Balneology and Physiotherapy arrived at a conclusion that the water is medicinal. It can be analogous to the waters of the Baltic resort of Palanga, that of the “White Hill” in the Voronezh Region and of some springs of the Staraya Russa. When properly diluted the water could be used for drinking treatment.

In the December of 1964 the stanitsa was visited by a group of four balneologists who admitted the site entirely suitable for a sanatorium construction. In the December of 1966 Vyoshenskaya was visited by M.S. Solomentsev, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Russia. Together with M.A. Sholokhov they visited the mineral spring – on the place of the future sanatorium “Vyoshenskiy”.

The documentary fund of the State M.A. Sholokhov Museum-Reserve contains the copies of the deputy inquiries of M.A. Sholokhov addressed to different Ministries, departments, institutions on various problems and some of the answers. There is a selection of such a correspondence of different years concerning the construction of a sanatorium in Vyoshenskaya.

When the leader of the Central Balneological Council failed to win the sanatorium included into the construction plan of 1970, the writer addressed his letter to the Deputy Chairman of the USSR State Plan Isayev and the Minister of Agriculture of the RSFSR Gushchin: “… Excluding this structure from the construction plan of 1970 unreasonably delays the total term of construction, and the building company “Rostselstroy”, which began the sanatorium dwelling area construction, will sustain losses. Taking into account the importance and necessity of constructing the sanatorium “Vyoshenskiy”, I apply to you for restoring the construction works of this structure by the company “Rostselstroy” of the General North Caucasian Agricultural Construction Office planned for 1970, at the total of 530000 rubles. Please, let me know about your decision”.

Besides, Sholokhov applied to the Chairman of the USSR All-Union Central Council of Trade Unions A.N. Shelepin “for sustaining in the final decision of this very important question” – the construction of the sanatorium, addressed his letter to the Minister of the USSR Agricultural Construction S.D. Khitrov about the necessity of enhancing the construction efficiency, to the director of the Makeyevskiy metallurgical plant Y.G. Cherneta about a delivery of reinforcing steel to the constructors of Vyoshenskaya, to the Minister of the USSR Power Engineering and Electrification P.S. Neporozhniy on the subject of the share in the construction, to the leaders of different offices and institutions.

The correspondence lasted several years. It issued finally in raising a fine sanatorium in the pine wood on the left bank of the river Don. It was put in operation in 1975, though the construction process was going on.

Now it is a complex unity pertaining to all modern requirements. The patients are treated here for the diseases of nervous system, motional and supporting apparatus, metabolic disorders, digestive system.

The main sight of the resort is its own local deposit of chloride calcium-sodium mineral waters containing bromine, which are used for baths, bathing in the swimming-pool, drinking treatment as well as a particular climate.

The medical and diagnostic base is located in a separate building with all the medical rooms equipped with modern medical apparatus and techniques with computer provision.

About 400 people are treated simultaneously, and for the whole operating period the sanatorium-balneological treatment has been given to many thousands of patients – the residents from all over our great country.

L. Afanasiyeva