Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-05-10
Organizing For Health
BY Frederic j. Haskin

iyation of 5000 women who have banded
together for the purpose oil providing
themselves with medical treatment and
other health measures which they could
not otherwise afford. is the latest develop
ment here of the idea of cooperative Ell
fort to reduce the cost of living.
With prices Of everything mounting,
the great majority of people can, with
difficulty. afford doctor when actually
laid up in bed by disease or accident.
Most of them can never afford the treat
ment of specialists for minor ailments,
and the advice as to diet, dress and eXer-
else which is SO necessary TO keeping MT
under civilized conditions.
The Good Health Club is an effort to
nrovide lust this sort of medical attention
by communal effort.
II is for working girls who cannot afford
To have a doctor treat ailments which do
not keep them IN bed. Many girls of this
class 20 to work day after day with head
aches. catarrh, rheumatism, or tired
feeling. They are only IS or 80 per cent
efficient, but to consult specialist, or
even to see a general practitioner Is an eX-
pense not for a moment considered
Health is becoming more and more q
luxury for the well-to-do.
If She is one of those who are below
psr.',. or even if she is 100 per cent healthy,
the working girl is being urged to JON the
new club, where she can learn to keep well
for 81 a wear dues, and receive medicai
attention when needed tor smau Zee
With its dues and gifts OF associate mem
hers. the club has already purchased a
club home, and is planning to outht ~
with hospital appliances and rooms tor
natients, and 10 MAINTAIN regular stan Oh
doctors, nurses, maids and superin-
tendent.
This ambitious undertaking is the out
ryowth of the womans evening clinic,
started six wears ago, by DR.. Elnora Folk
mar of this city. DR.. Folkmar observed
that the poorer working girls who needed
medical advice had to stay away from
work if they visited a clinic. Then, too,
the clinics, being free, were patronized
mainly by the extremely needy, and the
girl who onlv had headaches every o'her
dsv hesitated to JOIN the line OF charity
nstients. These evident facts, together
with the discovery that nobody seemed 10
be interested in the health problems Of
this class of society, led DIR. Folkmar TO
open an evening clinic for working women
At her FIRST visit, each patient IS asked
her weekly wages, and the sum spent Tor
room, meals, carfare, laundry, clothing "a
reasonable sum- and many other regular
expenses. These facts are noted IN order 10
find out If the applicant has right TO the
clinics services. Before the war, II she had
over FIVE dollars a week clear to spend on
sn,lsernents and luxurles, she was told
that she had mistaken the purpose Of the
clinic and had better sec her own doctor.
Since living costs have mounted, appll-
cants with much larger incomes than be-
fore arc admitted.
One of the most important things about
the clinic. according TO DIR. folkmar, is the
reception room. THE usual clinic waiting
room. she explains, is a wooden bench
in bare hall Such surroundings are
depressing and the patients meet the doc
tor in an unfavorable frame Of mind. The
room in which our patients wait their
turn might be any home sitting room. 1t Is
fitted out with comfortable chairs, a
table with magazines, pictures and other
homellke touches. Some Of the girls say
they like to wait because it rests them.
DIR. Folkmar has studied the psychology
of everv phase of her working gIri prob
lem. She decided that the girls would pre-
fer women doctors, and 50 all the physl-
cIans who treat the body are women. The
throat specialist who offers his services
ono night weekly and several doctors who
treat cOnliUlODS III lIlt llGtt} dlt AAItAls
As most Of the girls who come TO the
clinic are dragged down and llstiess
rather than suffering from any serious
maladv. much Of the treatment is of the
sort calculated to increase vitality. Thus,
the so-called physical therapv Is largely
used. Physical iherapy Is the doctors
name for treatment by light, sir, heat,
manipulation, electricity, tension, vlbra-
tion and exercises. Great advances have
been made in the use of the elements for
curative purposes, especially through war
experiences with them.
1t is now accepted, for example, that
the suns rays may cure rheumatism,
tuberculosis. digestive troubles, and that
thew aid the circulation Of oxygen In the
system. The violet rays OF the spectrum,
which are the most health giving, are not
strong enough to be of pronounced benefit
st low attitudes, but artificial lights have
been found to contain the desired rays
and to produce the same results as the
sunshine.
A hnht-bath Is not, as might be imagin-
ed, e simple ceremony like a morning
shower bath. II should be taken only by
advice and under direct supervision Of q
doctor, as otherwise there is danger Of
sunstroke, or Of the wrong dosage" Of the
affected part.
Unlike the sun cure, an air bath may be
taken by any one. For this, the body is
directly exposed to the fresh air, or else
very light and loose garments are worn.
The air bather takes some kind of exer-
else, while giving his body a chance to
breathe. Some European cities have en-
closed grounds for such baths, with an
attendant TO supervise exercises and
games.
Health giving properties OF water, an
other natural cure, IS greater than most of
us know, but TO be effective, water must
be properly used. Hot, tepid, cold, shower
baths, all have specific functions, and by
adding salt or other ingredients, still
different reactions are obtained Then, too,
the length of q bath and time Of taking are
both important
The clinic has apparatus for light baths
and electric treatments. II also tells the
patients how to improve their physical
condition at home By exercise, proper diet.
and observance Of simple rules of hygiene.
II was because the girls were so much
interested In keeping well that the Good
Health Club was started.
Doctors and specialists are to give
weekly lectures to members of the club.
There will be a series Of simple talks on
food-why you have TO eat and why
your body will not thrive on lunch Of
pickles and cream puff other talks
on recreation, repose and mental and emo
tional harmony.
Girls who already belong to the club
are health enthusiasts. They are out for
5000 members and they are well started
toward their goal. Besides girls, DR. Folk