The Lamar register., 1920-09-01
NATIONWIDE FIGHT
AGAINST DISEASE
American Red Cross viii Have
Health Centers in All Parts
OF United States.

The American Red Cross has launch
ed upon nation wide campaign OF
fighting disease and physical defect
among the American people. new
md unique health institution has come
into being rs the result Of several
months study by the Red Cross Health
Service Department at National Head
quarters
Omcials In charge of the department
predict that before long this new health
activity will be n actual operation all
over the country. and that the sign
"American Red Cross Health Center
will become as familiar to the peo-
pie everywhere az are now the signs OF
the telegraph companies.
Busy Long Before War.
The interest OF the American Red
Cross In 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 armistice thousands of American
Red Cross officials have been lighting
disease ln the war-stricken countries
Al the same time tens OF thousands OF
local Red Gross officials have been en-
gnged at home Fighting disease, nota'
bly, during the influenza epidemics.
The American Ped Cross has de
termlned that all this valuable expert
ef,re 10 health service abroad and ai
home shall not 90 to waste. SO long
ss there are half II million people
dying yearly In this sountry from pre-
ventuble causes. and 50 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
and conducted b. lay people.
Ii proceeds upon the demonstrated
fact that health Is a "ommodity that
can be bought and sold Ike brooms
and soap. Therefore. II establishes IL
self In n storeroom In the principal
business section OF the community. II
displays its goods In the form OF at
tractive health exhibits in It's show
windows II advertlses constantly and
extensively. And 1t uses every busi-
ness and social device TO attract Gus
toners.
The Red Cross Health Center is of
service to the sick In that II gives out
reliable and complete Information
about existing cliuics, hospitals, sana-
torla and oih. lust utions for the sick
and the defective; about available
nurses both rrnined aud practical:
about when 10 consult a physician aud
why TO shun the quack aud his nos.
trums.
Teaching Disease Prevention.
The Red Cross flralrh Center T.
however. Of even greater service to the
well. II teaches people how 10 pre-
vent sickness and disease THIS Is done
in many Interesting and attractive
ways-iirst OF all. by the distribution
Of popular health literature and
through health lectures Illustrated with
lantern slides or with health motion
picture films Then jpeclai exhibits are
given, one after the other. on various
health subjects Practical demonstrn
tions are made also health playlets by
children To Interest and Instruct them
selves and their elders. Glasses are
organized IN personal hygiene. home
care Of the sick. first aid and in food
selection and preparation. Health
clubs. both for younger and older peo-
pie. are formed; also Little Mother.
Leagues Nutrition and growth clinics
are conducted for children
Already more than hundred of
these Red Cross Health Centers are In
actual operation throughout the coun-
try Many OF them also conduct med
ical clinics. hut the one chief. out
standing feature Of the American Red
Cross Health Center Is It's health edu-
cntion service which teaches well peo-
ole how TO keep well.