Does anyone know the difference between the words 'sanatorium' and 'sanatarium'?

Question

I went to Waverly Hills Sanatorium over the weekend - very spooky. But we watched videos and several of them (snippets of shows that have done stories on the old TB Hospital) called the place a "Sanatarium". The official name was "Sanatorium" and when I looked that word up it seemed to be the correct word (looked at www.m-w.com). So, anyone know the difference between these two words?

Answer 1

same thing, just a variation on the word. common spelling is "sanatorium". less common spelling is "sanitarium". it is an institution to treat chronic diseases.

Answer 2

Sanitarium - A place where the sick (all sorts of sicknesses) can go to recover in a safe environment. It was used mainly to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.

Sanitorium - A place where the Insane are held in order to keep both them and the general public at large safe.

Brightest Blessings,

Raji the Green Witch