The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1920-11-04
NATIONWIDE FlGH!
AGAINST DISEASE.
American Red Cross Win Have
Health Centers in Au Parts
Of United States.

The American Red Cross mas l0uncn-
ed upon q nation Wide campaign OF
lighting 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
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 In the fight against disease 10
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 fighting
disease In the war-stricken countries
At the same time tens Of thousands Qf
local Red Cross officials have been Cd
Aaged nj home fighting disease, nota.
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 10 waste. So long
rs there are half Il million people
dying yearly in this country from pre-
ventable causes. and SO long as more
than one-third of the American chill
dren anil y0,Il,;. 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 II
governed by business principles. ap-
plies business methods, ami. In its
more simple form. can he established
and conducted b. lay people.
1t proceeds upon the demonstrated
fact that health Is commodity that
can be 'hoaslit and sold like brO0ms
and soap. Therefore. It establishes It.
self In St0rprapln In the principal
business section Of lne community. II
displays It's goods il the form OF at
tractive health exhibits In Its show
windows. II adyerti>es constantly and
extensively. And ii uses every husi-
ness md soci;ll device 10 attract Gus
toner's
The Red Cross Health Center Is OF
service to the sick in that It gives out
reliable md coriaiete information
about existing clinics. hospitals, sana-
toria and otlls. institutions for the sick
and the tlefective: about available
nurses. both trained and practical;
about when TO consult n physician and
why to slun the qnack and his nos
trumS.
Teaching Disease Prevention.
The Red Cross Health Center IL
however. Of even greater service to the
we'll. II teaches 'rHple how to pre-
vent sickness and tlise;lse. This is done
In many intereain. and attractive
ways--first Of NIL. by the distribution
Of popular heath, literature and
through health lectures Illustrated with
lantern slides or Will. health motion
picture films Then special exhibits are
given, one after the other, nn various
health subjects Practical delnonstra-
lions are made: also health pl;.ylets by
children to interest and instruct them
selves and their elders Cinsses are
organized in personal hygiene, home
care of the sick. first aid and in food
selection and preparation. Health
clubs. boti, for younger and older peO-
pie. nre formed: also Little Mothers
Leagues Nutrition and growth clinics
are conducted for children
Already more than a hundred Of
these Red Cross Health Ccnters are IN
actual operation throughout the coun-
try. Many Of them also conduct med.
ical clinics. hnt the one chief. out.
Stumbling feature of the American Red
Cross Healti, t,nnter is its health etiu-
Inn enn..l..s. 80