Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1920-11-04
NATIONWIDE FIGHT
AGAINST DISEASE
American Red Cross Will Have
Health Centers in All Parts
nj United States.

The American Red Cross has launch
ed upon Il nation wide campaign OF
Hphting disease and physical defect
among the American people. ne"
and unique health institution has come
into being as the result OF several
months study by the Red Cross Health
Service Department ~ National Hrad
quarters.
officials In charge OF the department
predict that before long this new health
activity win be in actual operation al
over The country. and that the sign
american Red Cross Health Center
will become as familiar 10 the PEG
pie everywhere as are now the signs OF
The telegraph companies.
Busy long Before War;
The interest Of the American Rec
Cross IN the fight against disease II
not, however, of recent origin. Long
before the war the organization began
this health service through Its medical
units In disaster relief work and It's
department of Town and County Nurs
the armistice thousands of American
Red Cross officials have been fighting
disease IN the war-stricken countries
At the same time tens Of thousands OF
local Red Cross officials have been en-
gagged at home fighting disease nota
bly, during the influenza epidemics.
The American Ped Cross has de.
terInined that all this valuable expert
ence In health service abroad and al
home shall not go TO waste. So long
as there are half million people |
dying yearly in this country from pre-
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
nIzcs 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
md conducted b. lay people.
IL |
act that health Is a commodity that
an be bought and sold like broOms
nd soap. Therefore, II establishes IT.
elf in storeroom in the principal
usiness section Of the community. II
isplays Its goods In the form Of at
II advertises constantly and
Extensively. And ii uses every bust
ess and social device to attract Gus
,mers.
The Red Cross Health Center Is of
,rvice to the sick in that 1t gives out
bout existing clinics, hospitals, sana
,rla and other institutions for the sick
nd the defective; about available
Irses, both trained and practical;
)out when to consult physician and
by to shun the quack and his nos. I
ums.
Teaching Disease Prevention.
The Red Cross Health Center is.
)wever, of even greutcr service to the
ell 1t teaches people how to pre-
mt sickness and disease. This is done s
many interesting and attractive
ays-tirst Of all. by the distribution e
popular health literature and
rough health lectures illustrated with q
intern slides or with health motion O
cture films. Then special exhibits are a
ven, one after the other, on various S
lalth subjects. Practical demOnstra- S
)ns are made also health playlets by
ildren to interest and instruct them. {
Ives and their elders. Glasses are II
ganlzed In personal hygiene, home S
re of the sick, first aid and In food i
lection and preparation. Health a
lbs, both for younger and older peo e
G. are formed; also Little Mothers G.
,agues. Nutrition and growth clinics a
e conducted for children.
Already more than hundred of +
csc Red Cross Health Centers are In 81
tual operation throughout the coun,
Y. Many of them also conduct med d.
ii clinics, but the one chief, out CO
inding feature of the American Red II
oss Health Center Is its health edu. ST
ton service which teaches well peo- NJ
3 how to keep well.