Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1920-10-07
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
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 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 fighting
disease in the war-stricken countries.
At the same time tens Of thousands of
local Red Cross officials have been en-
gagged ct home fighting disease, nota-
bly, during the influenza epidemlcs.
The American Ped Cross has de-
termined that all this valuable expert
ence in health service abroad and at
home shall not go to waste. So long
as there are a 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
defects, the Red Gross 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, ap-
plies business methods, and, in its
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 a stOreroom in the principal
business section Of the community. II |
displays its goods in the form Of at
tractive health exhibits in It's show
windows. 1t advertises constantly and
And 1t uses every bust
ness and social device to attract Gus
TONER'S.
The Red Cross Health Center is Of
service to the sick in that 1t gives out
reliable and complete information
bout existing clinics, hospitals, sana-
.Oria and other institutions for the sick
md the Detective about available
nurses, both trained and practical
bout when to consult physician and
Why to shun the quack and his nos
runs.
Teaching Disease Prevention.
The Red Cross Health Center Is,
However, OF even greater service to the
veil. 1t teaches people how to pre-
'ent sickness and disease. This is done
n many interesting and attractive
Ways first of all, by the distribution
4 popular health literature and
trough health lectures illustrated with
antern slides or with health motion
lecture films. Then special exhibits are
iven, one after the other, on various
ealth subjects. Practical demOnstra.
Ions are made also health playlets by
hiTdren to interest and instruct them
elves and their elders. Glasses are
rganized in personal hygiene, home
are Of the sick, first aid and in food
election and preparation. Health
Tubs, both for younger and older PEG.
lie, are formed also Little Mothers
eagues. Nutrition and growth clinics
re conducted for children.
Already more than a hundred of
lese Red Cross Health Centers are in
ctuai operation throughout the coun-
y. Many Of them also conduct med
al clinics, but the one chief, out
anding feature of the American Red
ross Health Center is its health edu-
ition service which teaches well PEG
10 how to keep well.
n