Dresden enterprise and Sharon tribune. (Dresden, Tenn.) 1907-1997, 1920-09-17
NATIONWIDE FIGHT
| AGAINST DISEASE
american Red Cross win Have
| Health Centers In All Parts
Of United States.

] The American Red Gross has launch.
ID upon q nation wide campaign Of
Aghting disease and physical defect
among the American people. A new
and unique health institution has come
into being as the result Of several
menths' study by the Red Cross Health
Bcrvice Department at National Head
quarters.
i OAicials In charge Of the department
DFedlct that before long this new health
activity will be in actual operation all
ever the country, and that the sign
ssAmerican 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
Gross in the fight against disease ID
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-
ans. During the war and following
the armistice thousands Of American
Red Cross officials have been fighting
disease In the war-strlcken countries.
AT the same time tens Of thousands Of
local Red Gross officials have been en-
gagged at home fighting disease, nOta-
bly, during the influenza epidemics,
The American Ped Cross has de-
iAermined that all this valuable expert
Snce In health service abroad and at
Aome shall not 60 to waste. So long
~ there are a half q million people
aying yearly In this country from pre-
gvsntabls causes, and 10 long as more
than one-third Of the American chill
aren and young people are victims Of
Dhysical defects, the Red Cross recog-
lnizes the urgent need for continued
Red Gross health service at home.
How Organization Works.
The Red Cross Health Center M
governed by business principles, ap-
plies business methods, and, in its
more simple form, can be established
and conducted by lay people
= II proceeds. upon the demonstrated
Eact thHt health is a 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. 1t
displays Its goods In the form Of at
aractiye health exhibits In Its show
windows 1t advertlses constantly and
extensively. And it uses every bust
ness and social device to attract Gus
GAomers
The Red Cross Health Center iS Of
heryice to the sick in that 1t gives out
Ealiable and complete information
ab4ut existing clinics, hospitals, sana-
10Ila and other institutions for the sick
and the defective; about available
nurses, both trained and practical;
shout when to consult a physician and
why to shun the Quack and his nos
trans.
Teaching Disease Prevention.
the Red Cross Health Center No,
Aeweyer, Of even greater service to the
veil. II teaches people how to pre-
vent sickness and disease This is done
q many interesting and attractive
ways Arst Of all, by the distribution
b popular health literature and
ahrough health lectures illustrated with
lantern slides or with health motion
Bacture Aims. Then special exhibits are
g1ven, one after the other, on various
Asalth subjects Practical demOnstra-
ions are made also health playlets by
'Aildren to interest and instruct them
elves and their elders. Glasses are
sganized in personal hygiene, home
are Of the sick, nrgt aid and In food
election and preparation. Health
tubs. both for younger and older PEG
le, are formed; also Little Mothers
easues. Nutrition and growth clinics
re- conducted for children.
Already more than hundred Of
Aese Red Cross Health Centers arq(in
istual operation throughout the cJcn-
~ Many Of them also conduct med
.Sa1 cliaAcs, but the one chSf, out
y ssaaosag feature Of the American Red
$50. 49,. Health Center Is its Gealth edu-
sssslSn service which teaches well peO-
pie now to keep wen. ~
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RAT BITE oNTHE HAND