Evening journal., 1918-10-31
CHARITIES WORK
FOR THE YEAR
Many Families Cared For;
Visiting Nurses Go Through
Trying Period
c. L. PATTERSON Is
NAMED PRESIDENT

e
the following officers were elected (:
President, C. l.. Patterson; vice presi-
dent the Rev. r. w. Trapnell: secre-
iary. Miss Madeline Draper; treasurer,
l., l.. Maloney.
Miss Marie T. Lockwood. superin-
tendent OF the visiting nurses associa-
tionI submitted the following report:
THE visiting nurses made 1874 visits
during the month OF September, and In
October made 2022 visits.
The above figures show 10 some de-
gree the unprecedented efforts OF three.
and later, four nurses during the in1u-
enza epidemic.
with four nurses sick. three staff
nurses and the superintendent worked
from s a. m. until 10 p. m. for the past
four weeks without an hours respite.
"The insistent calls for nurses 10
come 10 the sick and dying and the ply
sicsl inability 10 attend, but a minor
portion Of these appeals has been one
OF the many distressing and heart
breaking experiences Of the nurses.
mot even has IL been possible for
us to care for our own stan nurses who
succumbed TO the disease. Several
nursed with fevers until compelled TO
give up.
in the wake OF such a scourge the
visiting nurses are finding innumerable
debiltated patients. No doubt, the
rigors Of winter following the damage
done. lung and bronchial havoc will
quadruple the usual number Of respira.
tory diseases Of normal winter time, and
will lead up TO a very busy time for
The Visiting Nurse Association.
rah 20 "a h
lie has been great, our collections In
fees has been negligible. Most Of our
cases could have paid. Many OF our
cases were the heads OF the household
and the thought Of money has been the
last thought Of the visiting nurse. so
we have come away feeless from homes
that, In normal conditions. would have
been expected to pay the usual dues.
feel that Il is only right that the clti-
N,sns OF Wilmington should know this
- their generous response 70 our
speciai appeal for funds In this emer-
gency. And that those who have had
The care from visiting nurses, who are,
or will be, able to contribute small
amounts towards the maintenance OF
this community public health work,
will call at the Office or mall US their
contributions.
sOur loan closet furnished outfits for
infants, night clothing for adults, SICK
room supplies and drugs to the poor.
without the splendid aid OF the hed
Cross Motor Service the visiting nurses
would have fallen by the wayside, both
by losing their own strength and by
undermining their single endeaVor 10
reach patients. No one single thins
has kept US at our posts with unlm-
paired energy as this humane co-opera-
lion.
4 also feel that large number OF
people who have been so generous win
their cars have also known for the nrst
time what visiting nurses meant 70
Wilmington. IN
ing nurse by cold figures Is an impos-
sibility. / can only recommend 10 you
the i,ntiring efforts OF Mrs. Worthing-
ION and Miss Hastings. Ihere mas pecn
"a oarlv or late that these two have /
oto early or late that these TWO nay
Seiied ~ respond cheerfully TO the office
or district demands. Such assisIdnes
are above price and all words oil pfaise
ma
"Respectfully submitted
Marie II. DNNkWNOhf " Affl |
superintendent"
,ass Fthelda Mullen, acting secre-
tarv. submitted this report:
III is with a feeling OF great rellel
that Wilmington realizes that the uresu-
sul epidemlc which has brought so
much suffering and misery TO ner pSo-
ME Is on the wane. But What Oh tno
broken homes and ssddened heas
which il has left in its walker
You have seen the appeal IN tne usiis
naners and have all received the letter
skiing YOU for your special contribu-
lion at this time. Our people nave
responded nobly and we greatly appre.
elate the promptness and generosity OIL
their response. -,,. so-
"perhaps Il would be interesting lot
van ia know something OF the NUMBER
of new families which have come 70
the Associated Charities as a direct re-
suit OF The epidemic and how hey nave
been referred. .,
,sNineieen new families, fourteen OF
whom. are widows with young children
one a family OF six orphaned chlldren,
ihree families where one or both parents
are slowly recovering, and one d
,yidower with three children under iour
Years OF age, have come TO us LOT as
sislance during the month Of October.
'Of these nineteen, eight We're Ie
rsrred by the civilian relief, three Dy
Inc Visiting Nurse Association. one oy
lie Country Club Emergency Hospital
one by the Board OF HEALTH one Dy q
physician, one by friend, one by the
Philadelphia Society for Organizins
,harity, and two by personal appiica-
lion. e..s,,os
In addition to these new families
,eyenteen Of our old families who were
wholly or partially self-supporting nsNs
,ome 20 us 10 tide them over the perlou
vhen the wage Garner, either iatnsr vi
widowed mother, was incapacitsteo i0r
york. In most cases the whole family
we're in bed, and the only care tney re
,eived was from the visiting nurse I'D
her daily visit.
svrhese thirty-six families representeu
oue hundred and twenty-five ohiloren'
M OF whom had TO be fed and cared lot.
when we stop to consider that 1t costs
not less than SO a week per person ior
rood. and that special diet had 10 De