I should have checked the dictionary before asking Denise if someone was mangling the English language by confusing sanitArium with sanitOrium, because I now find that Webster defines them both as being from the Latin word sanatorius, to mean giving health. It does not differentiate between between physical or mental, as sanitOrium is also defined as sanitArium. Before we upset anyone whose ancester was in a sanitArium for their physical health, are the words interchangeable? Was this just something I picked up from my mid-western upbringing and there really is no difference?? Sandy