The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser., 1920-08-27
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 a nation wide campaign OF
fighting disease and physical defect
among the American people. A 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
sAmerican Red Cross Health Center"
will become al 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 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 LIE
department Of Town and County Nurs-
ing. During the war and following
the armisttce thousands Of American
Red Cross officials have been fighting
disease In the war-stFicken countries
At the same time tens Of thousands Of
local Red Cross odicials have been en-
gaged Ut home fighting disease, ncta'
bly, during the influenza epidemics.
The American Ped Cross has de-
termined that all this valuable expert
ence in health service abroad and AT
home shall not 60 to waste. so long
o. there are a half q million people
dying yearly In this country from pre-
ventable causes. and 20 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 homa
How Organization WerI<a-
The Red Cross Health Center II
governed By business principles, ap-
plies business methods, and, In Its
more simple form, can be established
and conducted BY lay people.
1t proceeds upon the demonstrated
fact that health Is commodity that
can be bought and sold like brooms
and soap. Therefore It establishes It
self In a storeroom In the principal
business section Of tina community. 1t
displays It's goods In the form Of o.
tractiye health exhibits In. its show
windows. 1t advertises constantly and
extensively: And 1t uses every busi-
ness and social device to attract Gus
toners
Tha Red Cross Health Center II Of
service tp the sick Ia that 1t gives out
reliable aud complete Information
sNout sxisting clinics, hospitals, sana-
torts and other Institutions Tor the sick
and the defective; abont availabls
nurses, both trained and practical +;
shout when 10 consult 4 physician and
why to shun che quack and his nos
trutns.
rsachIne Dtssass Prevention.
The Red Cross Health Center b,
however, Of even grester service to the
ven. It teaches people how to pre-
vank sickness and disease. This Is done
In many interesting and attractive
ways-drst Of all, By the distribution
Of popular health literature and
through healm 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-
tious are made also health piaylets BY
children to interest and instruct them
selves and their elders. Glasses are
organized u 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 tormed; also Little Mothers'
leagues. Nutrition and growth Clinics
ase conducted for children.
Already more than a hundred OF
theA Red Cross Health Centers are In
actual operation throughout the coun-
trF. Many Of them also conduct med
ieai clinics. but the one chief. out
standing feature of the American Red
Cxoss Health Center Is It's health edu-
cation service which teaches we'll peo-
pis Asw to keep well.