The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-07-04
CIVIC LEAGUE MEETING
Retiring president Makes Report of
Work for the Past Year,

The Civic League held it's last meet
ing for the summer on Monday af-
ternoOn. The treasurer gave very
clear, concise report Of the financial
standing of the league, showing the
many ways employed by the MEM
ters Of raising money during the year.
Mrs. Solomons read the appended re-
port which her friends have re-
quested should be published.
Election Of officers was then held,
resulting as follows:
President, Mrs. r. s. Hood.
1st Vice President, Mrs. John Sum-
ter.
End Vice President, Miss Katherine
Moses.
Treasurer, Mrs. Robert Graham.
Secretary, Mrs. l.. c. Noise.
Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. L. C.
Noise.
President Solomons' address was: /.
Fellow Club members: I beg to
submit this, my third annual report
to you as president Of the Civic
League.
During the year we have held nine
regular meetings. at all Of which !
have presided.
While there has been no very great
increase in membership, l am glad to
report that the average attendance
at these meetings has almost doubled
that Of previous years. which lends
enthusiasm, and Is an impetus for
larger and better work.
In reporting the work Of this Club
for civic betterment, first in import
ance comes that Of the visiting nurse.
We feel that the immense amount of
good accomplished through this chan
mel cannot be expressed, so far-reach
Ing is its effect. Last fall when Sum-
ter was threatened with an epidemic
OF typhoid fever and measles of q
very serious form, 1t was only by dint
of unceasing effort. caution and in
struction on the part of the nurse,
that the number of cases was held
down and this danger averted, and
will add here that both these out
breaks appeared Immediately after the
presence In the town of two street
which unfortunately often
leave disease in their wake. From
January 1915 to January 1st, 1917 she
paid 3,424 visits, an increase Of 713
over last year. due to the above
named outbreaks. but 1t is q great sat-
isfaction to report that at the present
time her work is light there being
less colitis and the usual spring trou-
bles among children, than for years
past. We are indeed fortunate to be
able to retain the services of Miss
Gibson, so capable and SO we'll be-
loved. Her patients go to her with
their mental. moral and physical
woes, and depend largely upon her
decisions Of their affairs. A marked
Improvement is shown in the condi-
tion Of their homes and children, due
to her ministrations and advice. An
evidence of the esteem in which her
work is held In this community was
shown this spring, when our mayor
went out with a subscription list, and
in a few hours secured enough money
to purchase an automobile fully
equipped. and with gasoline enough
for one year, which was presented to
the League for the use of the nurse.
There are fewer tubercular patients
than at this time last year, which is
encouraging, and due largely to the
fact that more intelligent effort has
been put forth for early diagnosis and
care of these patients. Drs. Birnie
and Maxwell have esta ablished weekly
clinics at their offices for the dag
nosis and treatment Of this dread
disease. In April your nurse and
appeared before the County Board of
Commissioners and asked for help in
the support and care of a young
man of Sumter who was hopelessly
i'll with tuberculosis, and had no one
to do for him. The board gave us
$4,000 towards the erection of a
shack, and $40 month towards his
maintenance. This sum was augment
ed by $4,000 from the Woodmen of
the World. a gift much needed and
appreciated. The $40 per month
which the League pays toward his ex-
penses comes from the tuberculosis
fund, the greater part of which was
made by the sale Of Red Cross stamps