Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1920-09-02
NATIONWIDE FIGHT
AGAINST DISEASE
American. Red Cross VIII Have
Health CenterS in All Parts
of United States.

The American Red Cross has launch
ed uuon q nation wide campaign OF
fighting disease ana physical defect
suou1 the American people. 4 ne"
md unique health institution has come
into being MS the result OF seNefa'
months study by the Red Cross Health
Service Department at National Head
quarters.
Officials in charge Of the department
prelicl that before long this new health
activity win be in actual operation all
over the country, and that the sign
"American Red Cross Health Center
will become as familiar TO the peo-
ple everywhere as are now the signs Vi
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 medlcal
units in disaster relief work ana lts
DEPARTMENT of Town and County Nurs-
inc During the war and following
fine armistice thousands of American
Red Cross officials have been lighting
disease In the war-stricken countries,
At the same time tens of thousands Oh
local Red Cross officials have been ell
rared at home fighting disease, hota'
blv during the influenza epidemics'
THE American Ped Cross has de'
continued tbht MI this valuable expert
encs in health service abroad ana al
home shall not 90 to waste. SO long
as there are a half a million people
diving yearly in this country from pre-
ventahle causes, and 50 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 atshome.
How. Organization Works.
The Red Cross Health Center Is
governed by business principles ap
plies business methods, ard, in lis
more simple form, can be established
and conducted b. lay people.
II proceeds upon the demonstrated
fact that health is commodity tha'
can be bought and sold like broomS
ana SOAP. Therefore, it establishes II
self in storeroom in the prlncipa
husinexs section Of the community. L
displays its goods in the form OF az
fractIve health exhibits in its snow
windows. 1t advertises constantly anS
extensively. And it uses every bust
ness and social device to attract Gus
toners.
The Red Cross Health Center is o.
service to the sick in that it gives ou
reliable and complete information
about existing clinics, hospitals sana
toria and other institutions for the sicf
and the detective; about available
nurses. both trained and practical
about when to consult a physician ant
/ why TO shun the quack and his nos
trums.
Teaching Disease Prevention.
The Red Cross Health Center IS
however, Of even greater service to th'
well. It teaches people how to pre-
vent sickness and disease. This is don'
in many interesting anu dt'i"N'i'
ways first of all, by the distribution
of popular health literature anC
through health lectures illustrated witt
lantern slides or with health motor
/ picture films. Then special exhibits are
Given. one after the other, on various
health subjects. Practical demonstra
lions are made; also health playlets b!
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 foo
selection and preparation. Health
clubs. both for younger and older PEG
pie. are formed also Little Mothers
leagues. Nutrition and growth clinic:
are conducted for children.
Already more than a hundred o.
these Red Cross Health Centers are II
actual operation throughout the coun
try. Many of them also conduct med
ical clinics, but the one chief, out
standing feature of the American Rec
Cross Health Center is its health edu
cation service which teaches well PEG
ple how to keep well. !.