Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1920-09-07
NATIONWIDE FIGHT
AGAINST DISEASE
American Red Cross viii Have
Health Centers in All Parts
of United States.

III. American Red Cross has launch
cd upon q nation wide campaign =.
fighting disease and physical ueiees
among the American people. A new
and unique health institution has co'ns
into being as the result Oh sese,s
months study by the Red Gross nsai'n
Service Department. at National hesu-
quarters.
Oficials in charge of the department.
predict that before long this new neail.
activity will be In actual operation a.
over the country, and that the sign
aAmerican Red Cross Health Center
will become as familiar to tne peg.
ple everywhere as are now the signs "
the telegraph companies
eusy Long Before War.
The interest Of the American Rea
Cross In the fight against disease IL
not however, of recent origin. Lohs
before the war the organization began
this health service through It's medicai
units In disaster relief work ana its
denartment of Town and County Nurs-
ing. During the war and following
the armistice thousands OF Amerlcan
Red Cross officials have been lighting
disease In 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 Ped Cross has de-
termined that all this valuable expert
ence in health service abroad ana az
home shall not go to waste. so long
rs there are a half million people
diving yearly in this country from pre-
ventable causes, and so long as more
than one-third of the American chill
dren and young people are victims Oh
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 10
governed by business principles. APP
plies business methods, and, In It's
more simple form, can be established
and conducted BIZ lay people.
1t proceeds upon the demonstrated
fact that health is commodity that
can be bought and sold like brooms
and soap. Therefore, 1t establishes It.
self in q storeroom In the principal
business section of the community. 1t
displays its goods in the form OF at
tractive health exhibits In its show
windows. 1t advertlses constantly and
extensively. And 1t uses every bust
ness and social device to attract Gus
toners.
The Red Cross Health Center is of
service to the sick In that 1t gives out
reliable and complete information
about existing clinics, hospitals, sana-
toria and other institutions for the sick
and the defective; about available
nurses, both trained and practical;
about when to consult a physician and
why to shun the Quack and his nos
trums.
! Teaching Disease Prevention.
The Red Cross Health Center is,
however, of even greater service to the
well. It teaches people how to pre-
vent sickness and disease. This is done
in many interesting and attractive
ways-frst 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-
lions are made; also health playiets 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 Mothers
Leagues. Nutrition and growth clinics
are conducted for children.
Already more than a hundred of
these Red Cross Health Centers are in
actual operation throughout the coun-
try. Many Of them also conduct med
ical clinics, but the one chief, out
standing feature Of the American Red
Cross Health Center Is its health edu-
cation service which teaches we'll peo-
pie how to keep well