The Dolores star., 1920-10-15
nationwide FIGHT
AGAINST DISEASE
American Red Cross VIII Have
Health Centers in All Parts
OF United States.

The American Red Cross has ianh'h
ed upon II nation wide ch'hpals" VI
f,ghtlng disease and physician ue'e'
among the American people new
and unique health institution mas c"''e
into being MS tn. result "t seNe'H
months study by the Red Cross h'h"n
Service Department al National heau
quarters
Otticials III charge or the department
pr.dtc, thsl before long this new health
activity will he in actunl operation AL
over The country. and that the sign
American Red Gross Health Center
win become us familiar 10 the peo
.tl. everywhere as are now the slshs o'
lie telegraph companies.
Busy Long Before War.
The interest of the American Rco
Cross In the fight against disease
not, however, of recent origin LONE
before the war the or gnnisailoh pethh
this health service through lis nehlca
units In disaster relief work anu NF
department OF Town and County Nurs
ing During the war and followlh"
the arinistice thousands or American
Red Cross officials have been hghtihs
disease In the wHr-strlcken countries
At the same time tens of thousands o.
local Red Cross officials have been on
gagged al home fighting disease, no'n
bly, during the influenza epidcmics-
The American l ed Cross has de
terrnined thar all tnts valuable expert
ia. pl
home shall not 60 TO waste. SO lonf
as there are half q million people
dying yearly in this country from pre-
ventaJie causes. and so long as more
than one-third of the American chli
dren and young people are victims o'
physical defects, the Red Cross recog
nlzes the urgent need for continued
Red Cross health service at home.
How Organization Works.
The Red Cross Health Center r.
governed by business principles, ap
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. 1t 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 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.
toris and Other Institutions for the sict
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
truns.
Teaching Disease Prevention.
The Red Cross Health Center ia
however, Of even greater service to the
we'll. 1t teaches people how to pre-
vent sickness and disease. This Ia done
In many interesting and attractive
ways-first 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.
tons are made; also health playlets 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 tho one chief, out.
standing feature of the American Red
Gross Health Center is Its health edu.
cation service which teaches well pso-
pie hsw to keep we'll.