Metropolis weekly gazette. (Metropolis, Ill.) 1???-19??, 1917-03-23

ton are donation of the people In
time OF peace
In the same way that the personnel
of the base hospitals when called into
active service passes under the excln-
sive authority OF the war department
so the nurses belonging TO the Red
Cross nursing service in time OF war
become part OF the army nurse corps
To those women who rather roman
tically anticipate offering their I'M
trained services To their country II is
something of Il surprise 10 learn that
there are now 1000 graduate nurses
enrolled for service with the American
Red Cross.
The womas to whom Is due the cred.
ii for this very wonderful work in the
organization of nurses Is Miss Jane ~
Delano, chairman of the national com.
mittee on Red Cross nursing service.
Miss Delano was formerly superintend.
ent OF the Bellevue hospital. New York
city. and left that institution TO join
the Red Cross. In speaking Of the fea.
ture Of the work in which she is most
interested Miss Delano explained some
thing OF the method by which il has
been accomplished.
''The national committee on Red
Cross nursing service Is responsible for
developing and maintaining an .ade.
quate nursing personnel 10 meet the
needs of the medical departments OF
the army and navy" she said. How
ever. In addition to the national com
mittee. the Red Cross nursing service
consists OF state and local committees.
which have worked earnestly IN the en-
deayor to enroll nurses fitted for sery-
ice.
Recently the national committee has
enlarged its field and has been made
responsible for the enrolment OF won.
en- other than nurses who would be
willing to hold themselves In readiness
for service as nurses aids In the event
of war. This volunteer service Will
give an opportunity to thousands of
women who are anxious 10 be OF sery.
ice to their country in time of need.
in employing volunteers II is OF pri-
mary importance that they be we'll or
ganized and understand the duties
which would be required of them and
the conditions under which they would
be appointed. They must be carefully
selected and their names placed on file.
"A first requirement Is that they take
at least the Red Cross course in ele-
mentary hygiene and home care of the
sick under one of our enrolled Red
Cross nurses who has been duly au-
thorized TO give this instruction.
Courses in first aid 10 the injured and
in dietetics also are important requl-
sites. splendid work was carried on
when the woman's section of the Navy
league organized the National Service
school at Chevy Chase.
MANY of the women who took this
course will qualify later to act as in
structors in their own communities, so
the results will be farreaching and
of preparedness. These pupils have
surely returned to their homes with a
fuller knowledge of the purpose and
ideals of the Red Cross and broader
conception of our duty 10 our country"
Miss Delano has succeeded in spread
ing her ideals of patriotism and serv-
ice In many of the hospitals through
ont the country. and the enthusiasm OF
the nurses has played no small part in
furthering the organization of he base
hospitals and preparation for field serv-
ice
Another branch of the American Red
Cross work which is connected in pur-
pose with The organization of the base
hospitals. bnt which is n separate dvi-
sion in the responsibility of the society.
is the handling Of supplies for the sol
diers in camp.
In addition to this work of military
relief each chapter should have see
ton for civilian relief. The Red Cross.
however, does not intend carrying on
this work OF caring for the destitute
families of soldiers and sailors alone.
but depends on the patriotic generosity
OF employers.
That this relief work may be inteIi.
| gently conducted carefully written
record is necessary. This must con
| tain the facts on. which the action OF
| the chapter is based in the case of each
family and the name of the family.
number and ages of children. sum
| mary Of the family's own resources
and statement showing whether help
| is also being received from other.
sources and IL so how much. The in !.
! formation should be kept for references