The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1920-08-13
NATIONWIDE FIGHT
AGAINST DISEASE
American Red Cross Will Have
Health CenterS in All Parts
of United States. -

The American Red Cross has launch
ed upon q nation wide campaign or
fighting disease and physical defect
among the American people. new
and unique health institution has come
into being as the result of several
months study by the Red Cross Health
Service Department at National Head
quarters.
Officials In charge OF the department
predict that before long this new health
activity will be in actual operation all
over the country. and that the sign
"American Red Cross Health Center"
will become as familiar to the peo-
pie everywhere as are now the signs of
the telegraph companies.
Busy Long Before War.
The interest Of the American Red
Cross I'm the fight against disease Is
not however. Of recent origin. Long
before the war the organization began
this health service through its medical
units in disaster relief work and Its
department, Of Town and County Nurs-
, ing During the war and following
the armistica thousands OF American
Red Cross officials have been fighting
| disease i'm the war-stricken countries.
At the same time Tens Of thousands OF
local Red Cross officials have been en-
gagged ST home fighting disease. nota-
bly, during the influenza epidemics.
The American Fed Cross has de-
termined that all this valuable expert
ence in health service abroad and at
home shall not go to waste. So long
as there are a half million people
| dying yearly In this country from pre-
ventabie causes. and so long as more
than one-third Of the American chill
dren and young people are victims OF
physical defects. the Red Cross recog-
nizes the urgent need for continued
Red Cross health service at home.
| How Organization Works.
| The Red Cross Health Center Is
governed by business principles. ap-
plies business methods, and, In its
more simple form. can be established
aud conducted by lay people.
1t proceeds upon the demonstrated
fact that health Is 4 commodity that
can be bought and sold like broomi
md Rap. Therefore, It establishes 1t.
self ip . storeroom In the principal
business section Of the community. II
displays its goods in the form Of at.
tracuye health exhibits in it's show
| windows II advertises constantly and
extensively. And II uses every husi
ness and social device 10 attract Gus
toners --~Hsi
The Red Cross Hcalts Cei'isf Is y,
service to the h~k In thss IL CiSts ow'
reliable and complete informa t,tr
about existing clinics. hospitals. sana
| tor!a and other institutions for the sick
and the defective: about available
| nurses. botn trained and practical
about when 10 consult physician and
| why TO shun the quack and his nos
truns.
| Teaching Disease Prevention.
The Red Cross Health Center is.
however. Of even greater service to the
well. 1t teaches people how TO pre-
vent sickness and disease This Is done
I'm many interesting and attractive
| ways-irst OF all, by the distribution
Of popular health literature and
through health lectures illustrated with
lantern slides or with health motion
! picture films Then special exhibits are
given, one after the other. on various
health subjects Practical demonstra-
| tiOns are made also health playlets by
children to interest and instruct them
selves and their elders Classes are
organized In personal hygiene. home
care OF the sick, first aid and in food
selection and preparation Health