New-York tribune., 1903-06-01
FIRST AID TO THE INJURED.
Work Done by the Society for Instruction
in This Work
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: from the daily papers that Miss Clara
Barton OF the American Red Cross Society. has
suggested plans for the formation of new branch
Of that organization with the purpose of affording
instruction in first aid so the injured, and also for
supplying articles to be used in emergency cases
10 railroads. mills, schools, etc.
1t is not my desire to say a word in opposition
to Miss Barton's praiseworthy intentions, but l
think it my duty to state for the information OF
your readers, that the work which Miss Barton
contemplates is precisely chat which the Society
for Instruction in First Aid TO the Injured, OF whch
1 have the honor to be the president, has carried
on since its formation under the auspices or the
State Charities Ai1 Association, in 1882
The object of this society is to give instruction
by means Of lectures IN the use Of remedial meas
ures to be employed before the physician comes,
and to teach few OF the simple laws of health
and nursing. It does not aim to rival or supplant
the physician, but by immediate assistance to show
what can be done to allay suffering. anu in certain
emergencies life.
The course consists of five lectures and an e1-
animation, which given free to those unable
to pay; for others the charge is 81 TO g. TO those
who successfully pass the examination diploma
is awarded. The number Of persons instructed since
the organization OF the society is 15770, Of whom
lG 91 passed the examination and received ulporaS
In the last year free classes have been held IN the
society's rooms in the public schools, in the 1oung
Mems Christian Association and salvation Army
in the 69th Regiment Armory for policemen, IN the
zatons These classes have comprised 1920 persons,
male and female. OF whom 1850 have obtained
diplomas; 1882 handbooks have been issued
Branches of the society have been Instituted IN
the States of New-York, Nebraska, Maine, Iowa,
Ohio. Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts ana
Missouri mainly through the agency OF the Young
Mems Christian Association and the salvation
Army in which classes held and diplomas
issued, which furnished by our central socleIy.
The society has constantly hand the following
supplies, the cost of each article being appenoed:
The handbook by Bowditch Morton, NJ D., single
copy. 25 cents each. in lots OF twelve or more ~ ~
cents; the Esmarch Illustrated Badge, 10 cents; IN
lots Of 500 cents: the Pocket Aide Memolre; .
cents; the Diploma (to out of town students onlyl
II cents the Diploma frame, 90 cents; the Sive Ho
badge of the society 81; the accident ooA' % 'o'
small sizes, 20 cents and 81 %. ~
II seems to me. therefore that 1t would De ina
wiser method to strengthen the Society for instruc
ton in First Aid to the Injured in Its eftort 10
afford instruction in this city at least and @ t9 re
frain from Duplicating its work The RED SIosS
can no doubt find much to do in other ioGalLes
which our society, from want OF means Is una aoie
10 reach So far. however, as greater New ORR IS
concerned, the Society for First AID is WortIig
actively and successfully and were Its resources
laryer II would able to increase It's Work 50 "S
10 provide for every possible requirement
~ S " CHARLES II. MARSHALL.
President Society for Instruction in FIRST Ad0 10
the Injured.
What Mr. Marshall says is so true ana SO
obvious that it is amazing to find an inteiIlseht
person making it necessary for him to say III