Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1920-08-14
NATIONWIDE FIGHT
AGAINST DISEASE
American Red Cross Win 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 h as 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 operat Non all
over the country, and that the sign
american Red Cross Health Center"
will become as familiar 70 the peo-
pie everywhere as are now the signs OF
the telegraph companies
Busy Long Before War.
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 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 epiden,ics.
The American led Cross has de-
termined that all this valuable expert
ence In health service abroad and al
home shall not go to waste. SO long
as there are half a million people
dying 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 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, APP
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 commodity that
can be bought and sold like brOOms
and soap Therefore, II establishes IT.
self in a storeroom in the principal
business section of the community. II
displays its goods In the form Of at
tractive health exhibits in its show
windows. II advertises constantly and
extensively. And II uses every bush
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 pz-plcte information
about existing clinics, hospitals, suna
toris and othe Institutions for the sick
and the defective; about available
nurses. both trained and practical;
about when to consult physician and
why TO shun the quack and his nos
trums.
Teaching Disease Prevention.
The Red Cross Health Center IA
however of even greater service TO the
well Il fraChes people how to pre-
vent sickness and disease. This is done
In man: Interesting and attractive
ways-fi st Of all. by the distribution
Of pc; 'ir health literature and
through ralth lectures Illustrated with
lantern ,les or with health motion
picture iil:ls Then ;pecial exhibits are
given, ~. after the other, on various
health subjects. Practical demonstra-
tons ar made also health playlets by
childreh - interest and instruct them.
selves ard their elders. Glasses are
organized in personal hygiene, home
care of tie sick. first aid and In food
Selection and preparation. Health
clubs both for younger and older peo-
pie, arr formed; also Little Mothers
Leagues Nutrition and growth clinics
are conducted for children.
Already more than a hundred OF
these Rcd 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 fits health edit !
cation service which teaches well peo
pie how 20 keep we'll